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Biological Sciences Field Stations and Reserves

Overhead view of Youngmeyer Ranch Reserve at sunset, with pink and orange skies on the horizon and a large vista of fields. Photo by Hutton Design+Build.

Beginning with the acquisition of the Ninnescah Reserve in 1984 by the WSU Foundation, the Field Station has continued to grow as a place where research, instruction and outreach are conducted on areas which are managed to be healthy, natural systems that were once common to the areas in which they are situated. Other properties include the Gerber Reserve and the Youngmeyer Ranch Reserve.

 

Reserves

  • Youngmeyer Ranch Reserve

    The Youngmeyer Ranch Reserve is a 1,902-hectare site owned by the Youngmeyer Trust, which gave access to WSU for research and teaching activities beginning in July 2014. Youngmeyer Ranch's natural landscape and ecology is the perfect location for students to get access to applied learning and fieldwork in biology.

    Photo credit: Hutton Design+Build

  • Ninnescah Reserve

    The Ninnescah Reserve came to Wichita State from Ms. Louise Powell as two separate gifts. The initial 69.6 hectares (171.9 +/­ acres) were acquired in 1984, with the remaining 65.1 hectares (160.8 +/­ acres) in 1985. The late Ms. Powell’s generous donation came with the request that the property be restored to a prairie ecosystem and utilized for research and education.

  • Gerber Reserve

    After a pipeline carrying anhydrous ammonia ruptured on Oct. 27, 2004 near Waterloo, Kansas, causing ammonia to enter Smoots Creek, the Wichita State University Foundation acquired the property as part of a conservation easement with Joan A. Gerber in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to mitigate the effects on the local ecology and biology.

Support the Mission

If you are interested in supporting the research and conservation mission of the Field Station and reserves, donations can be made through the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement to the following designations:

  • Biological Field Station Restoration & Maintenance Fund
  • Ninnescah Biology Project
  • Youngmeyer Field Station Research Support Fund
  • Youngmeyer Foundation

You can also contact the senior director of development, Lynette Murphy, at lynette.murphy@wichita.edu or (316) 978-7307.

Students give up the Shocker hand sign in the middle of a river

Other Facilities

Field Station Staff

If you are interested in utilizing one of the reserves, please contact the manager, Dexter Mardis, at (620) 584-6627.

Gregory R. Houseman PhD
Field Station Director
Dexter Mardis
Emmy Engasser
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