The Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a wonderful place to wander upon acres and acres of wildlife. Their natural environment boasts all types of surprises, is a learning ground for students, and has their trails open to the public during this time of social distancing.
The Institute buildings will not open to the public at this time because protecting the health and safety of the students and staff is the primary goal at the moment. However, the trails are open every day from dawn to dusk.
In the meantime, The Institute announced the 2020 Biological Field Station Summer Research Projects. This is the 16th year of the program and it has provided more than 200 undergraduate and graduate students from 13 different colleges and universities a summer research experience.
The program is different because students lead the project and see it from idea to the results and conclusion. Programs include land management research, environmental research grants, art fellowships, and writing grants.
One of the most compelling projects is from Grand Valley State University. Last year students monitored Eastern Box Turtles and saw the birth of several. 11 turtles wintered at the John Ball Zoo and were released on the Institute grounds, and the students will continue to monitor their progress.
To learn more, join the Institute staff on Thursday, June 25 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for the Virtual Lunch and Learn about the field station.
Or to see what other activities are going on during a time of social distancing, visit cedarcreekinstitute.org.
