The Biological Field Station at GovState
A gem in biological research, education, and conservation.
The Governors State University (GovState) Biology Field Station is a 144-acre ecological preserve located at the interface of metropolitan Chicago and rural agriculture. It is part of a contiguous 1,600-acre natural area managed by multiple agencies, including the GovState Sculpture Park, Will County Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve, Pine Lake Park, and Thorn Creek Nature Preserve. The Field Station features a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forests, prairies, and early successional woods, making it an ideal site for research in urban ecology, conservation, and environmental health. Publicly accessible trails, such as the Bluebird Trail, Link Trail, and Thorn Creek Trail, offer scenic paths and educational access to these diverse landscapes.
The Field Station provides unique hands-on learning experiences for GovState students and faculty. It supports extensive research activities, such as studies on bird nesting, small mammal population dynamics, hydrology, and invertebrate biodiversity. Notable projects include bird banding as part of the MAPS Program, small mammal trapping for mammalogy courses, and water sampling for microbiology studies. Student and faculty research conducted here has contributed to multiple theses, national presentations, and publications. The facility also serves as an essential teaching tool for biology courses, allowing students to directly engage in ecological monitoring and environmental science. This extensive fieldwork has led to national presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and ongoing research projects.
GovState's commitment to sustainability is evident through the integration of the Field Station with green campus initiatives like solar energy, bioswales, and permeable parking lots. The Field Station’s infrastructure supports research and teaching, including a staging area for sample processing and equipment storage. Future plans aim to enhance educational outreach with interpretive signage and accessible trails, solidifying the Field Station's role as a resource for both the academic community and public environmental education.
Conservation takes a village, both at home and globally.
Our Biological field station is a campus preserve, along with the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (78 acres including a butterfly sanctuary), is part of a contiguous, nearly 1,600 acre macrosite that is under multiagency management (in which GovState Biology faculty participate). To our south is the Will County Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve (425 acres); to the east, Pine Lake Park (40 acres); to the northeast Thorn Creek Nature Preserve (900 acres). We are recognized internationally by the Organization of Biological Field Stations.
For information on our partners, visit their sites: