Est. 1947
Managed by the Kansas Biological Survey, the KU Field Station is a place for study and collaboration in the sciences, arts and humanities, with public trails and educational programming for all ages.
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Researchers
Enjoy access to a variety of native and historically altered habitats across three large sites, with a full range of indoor and outdoor lab areas, all within easy reach of main campus.
Educators
With a wide variety of field settings, classrooms, labs, a kitchen, patio areas, and easy access from I-70 and main campus, the field station is a resource for classes throughout the region.
Visitors
Our nature trail system, native medicinal garden, interpretive signage and Armitage Education Center support educational visits, recreation, workshops and KU retreats.
Our mission
Research
The KU Field Station is open to scholars everywhere and to the entire University of Kansas community for study and collaboration in the sciences, arts, humanities and professional fields. We encourage and celebrate interdisciplinary research and welcome researchers at all levels, especially students.
Stewardship
We care for 3,200 acres of native prairie, native woodland, secondary woodland and reservoirs, as well as areas that historically were left to natural succession. All of these areas, which span three different sites in northeastern Kansas, are managed for research, teaching and long-term conservation.
Education
Just 20 minutes from KU's main campus and 10 minutes from I-70, our core research area offers easy access for KU classes, school groups and visitors. We offer a wide range of educational opportunities through our research facilities, public trails, native plants research garden and programming for all ages.
KU Native Medicinal Plant Research Garden
Established in 2010, this popular research and education site serves as the gateway to the KU Field Station's core research area.
Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve
Join us for guided walks in this native forest setting, part of historic Greater Baldwin Woods ecosystem.Events
The Kansas Biological Survey
The KU Field Station is managed by the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, one of KU's 11 University Research Centers. The Biological Survey holds dual status as a non-regulatory state agency.