To learn about natural resources, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty. 

The Bull Shoals Field Station, located on the shores of Bull Shoals Lake, is used to complete lessons and research in the natural world.   

To enhance the research and educational opportunities the field station can provide, a new building is currently under construction.   

About the construction project 

The field station supports the research and education needs of faculty and students at Missouri State University, as well as those at other universities and non-profit organizations.  

Due to the high demand of the field station’s resources, scheduling conflicts have occurred between various groups and researchers. 

“Some researchers stay for long periods, which can interfere with groups,” Dr. Janice Greene, director of the Bull Shoals Field Station, said.  

The new field station will have spaces for holding larger groups of people. The added space will decrease conflicts in scheduling classes or sessions for groups and researchers.  

“Adding space and localities to the field station building will allow more researchers and educators to use the diverse habitats surrounding the building,” Greene said.  

Construction of the new field station building is nearly complete.  

“As a final step, we will be working on seeding the land surrounding the building with a savanna wildflower mix in about a week,” Greene said.  

About the additions 

Accounting for larger groups of people also requires more amenities.  

The new field station building will have the following additions: 

• A larger meeting room with restrooms attached 
• Air conditioning in the meeting room 
• Passive cooling as an energy-efficient means of keeping the indoor temperature comfortable 
• Two refrigerators and stoves 
• 19 more beds 

“The new building will allow the field station to have a variety of accommodations to suit many different types of groups,” Greene said.