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The Research Field Station has been relocated to the Lost Valley Visitor Center located in Glacial Park, Ringwood
The Research Field Station coordinates ecological restoration land management for the northeastern region of the county, including Glacial Park. A three-season internship program is available for college-age students in natural resource related fields of study, in which we introduce students to the length and breadth of conservation in the Midwest. We also conduct public programs related to ecological restoration and offere a Ecological Restoration Certificate Program.
Natural Resource Management – Field Station Division
Staff
Tom Simpson, Field Station Ecologist
(815) 678-4532
tsimpson@mccdistrict.org
Departmental Overview
The Glacial Park Research Field Station (GPRFS) is responsible for oversight of the NRM field station internship program, scientific research on District lands, public education on natural resource issues, curation of scientific specimens, and management and enlargement of the District’ s natural resource and cartographic archives. In addition, the staff members of the Glacial Park Field Station are responsible for the routine management of over 4,000 acres of District lands in Region 1.
Major Areas of Concentration
Region 1 Land Management and Restoration
The GPRFS program is responsible for day-to-day management activities on approximately 3,300 acres of protected land within Region 1, the county’s northeast corner. As such the Field Station Ecologist position serves as the defacto Restoration Ecologist Level 1 for this area, and is responsible for ensuring that standard management activities such as prescribed burning, brush removal and control of exotic species is completed at Glacial Park.
Internship Recruitment and Training
The GPRFS is charged with the development and oversight of much of the NRM Department’s internship program. These internships provide students an opportunity to gain practical experience within the field of resource management, while assisting the District to complete important restoration, management and research projects. The program utilizes existing District housing facilities at Glacial Park to house students in a residential setting while they are employed by the District.
Ecological Research and Monitoring
The GPRFS oversees all requests for ecological research on District sites by outside individuals and entities. The Field Station Ecologist issues permits, keeps other District departments informed of ongoing research, and ensures that completed data is received in a timely manner by the Conservation District.
Public Education
The Field Station Ecologist is responsible for the Ecological Restoration Certification Program. The ERCP is the first-ever educational program of workshops designed around the practice and philosophy of ecological restoration and the natural history and science that supports restoration. For more information, click here.
Archives and Research Library
The GPRFS maintains and enlarges the research library and District land use history archives in the Lost Valley Visitor Center. The archives and library are available to all District staff and the public upon request.