The theme of this symposium is experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the field of ecosystem science. The purpose of this symposium is to provide professionals and students with a sample of the diversity and depth of ecosystem-focused experiential learning opportunities that remain available to students in the U.S. Symposium speakers have been selected from the pool of over 30 member organizations within the Association of Ecosystem Research Centers in the US and specifically represent different types of experiential learning platforms encompassing offerings from academic centers and institutes, public-private partnerships, and non-governmental organizations. Speakers from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center, the Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies, the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and the Natural Resources Research Institute at University of Minnesota will participate in this symposium. Each speaker will present an overview of the focus and breadth of disciplinary expertise of the ecosystem research center they represent followed by an in depth coverage of the experiential learning programs that they provide a part of their educational missions. Speakers will be asked to address the breadth and scope of the opportunities for experiential learning that they provide, metrics of success for their educational programs, and the challenges of running successful experiential learning programs for ecosystem studies.