Thomas More University Biology Field Station

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Thomas More University Biology Field Station

Our mission is to educate and engage students & visitors about the Ohio River ecosystem and empower them to make a positive impact on the environment.

The Thomas More University Biology Field Station is a one-of-a-kind center for aquatic biology research whose reach is as wide and powerful as the Ohio River. Located just thirty minutes from the main Thomas More campus, the Station, one of the original lock and dam facilities, is perched on the shore of the Ohio River. Through hands-on inquiry-based teaching methods, the faculty and students at t

he Station educate and engage visitors about the Ohio River ecosystem and surrounding watershed, teach the value of the watershed to those who live within it, and empower students to make a positive impact on the River and surrounding environment.

06/03/2026

2026 SUMMER INTERNS! Like the return of the monarch butterflies, our student research interns have returned to the Station for a summer on the River where they will be conducting research projects in the field & in the lab and helping to lead our K-12 STEM Outreach programs.

We would like to thank our partners at SD1 and the WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium along with the Duke Energy Foundation, the Terracon Foundation, National Science Foundation, National Wildlife Federation and the "Friends of the Field Station" for helping to make these internships possible.

See you on the River!

05/24/2026

Drumroll please…for the…BAND LINEUP for the CONCERT! On July 25, visit the Thomas More University Biology Field Station for the third annual Concert for Conservation featuring old-timey, bluegrass bands and musicians including Ma Crow & Co, Sonya Moomaw, Get Down River, Maria Carrelli, and Porch Goose. Swipe to meet the artists performing at this year’s event that also includes laboratory tours, an environmental organization showcase, free kayak rentals, food trucks, and MadTree beverages. Register at tmuky.us/concertrsvp (case sensitive).

05/15/2026

LATEST HAPPENINGS with the River Mural by TMU alum, Michael Thompson. Dedication coming soon!

05/10/2026

SUMMER SEMINAR SERIES! Our annual seminar series will take place in the Biology Field Station Lodge this summer on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM (8330 Mary Ingles Highway, California, KY 41007).

Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including several alum of the Bio Station, will discuss their career paths, current research, and professional development. This seminar series is open to the public; feel free to join us.

And don't forget to purchase your tickets to our 3rd Annual Concert for Conservation: Raisin' Hellbenders on the River at. https://www.thomasmore.edu/.../concert-for-conservation/.

See you on the River!

04/26/2026

MURAL REVEAL at the CONCERT! As you may remember, Thomas More alumnus, Michael Thompson, is painting a mural on the Field Station’s lab building that creatively highlights native biodiversity. Check out these photos for his progress on the hellbender! Join us for the official mural reveal at the third annual Concert for Conservation this July 25 from 3-9 PM at the Biology Field Station! Plus, don’t forget our EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Purchase your tickets at tmuky.us/concertrsvp by June 01 for a FREE raffle ticket for a brand new kayak donated by Schack’s Yaks.

04/19/2026

WELCOME ABOARD! We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kendall Simon has accepted our offer to become the next Manager at the Bio Station.

Kendall is an aquatic ecologist and environmental toxicologist with over 14 years of experience conducting field- and laboratory-based research focused on water quality, species conservation, and ecosystem health. She earned her a B.S. in Animal Science from Michigan State University, followed by a Ph.D. and M.S. in Ecosystem Health and Natural Resource Management from the University of Maryland, where her research examined bald eagles as indicators of Great Lakes ecosystem health.

Kendall has led multidisciplinary field teams, managed complex research programs, and worked extensively with federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on aquatic ecology and contaminant studies. She is passionate about hands-on education, mentoring students, and connecting science with the broader community through outreach and communication.

Here at the Station, Dr. Simon is excited about mentoring undergrads in research projects, managing our lab conservation work, leading our K-12 STEM Outreach programs, and assisting in the operations and maintenance of the Field Station. In her words... “I am excited to join the Field Station and to help create opportunities for students and the community to connect with aquatic ecosystems in a meaningful, hands-on way. There’s something powerful about being out in the field. You don’t just study the ecosystem, you feel connected to it.”

Please join us in welcoming Kendall to the Biology Field Station and to the University.

04/09/2026

CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME! You know summer is around the corner when we have selected our new cohort of interns. We are pleased to announce the education and research interns at the Bio Station for summer 2026.

These students, arriving from across the country and beyond, will live on site, conducting conservation and research projects, while assisting with our K-12 STEM Outreach programs.

A big thanks to our financial supporters, the Duke Energy Foundation, the Friends of the Field Station, the National Science Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation, the Renaker Family Foundation, SD1, the Terracon Foundation, and the WAVE Foundation, for helping to make these programs possible.

03/27/2026

K-12 STUDENTS: The deadlines to apply for our overnight ECO STEM camp for high schoolers and our day camp for elementary & middle school students are fast approaching, April 01 and May 01, respectively.

The HS ECO STEM Camp is a four-day overnight summer camp from July 12-15 where campers are immersed in STEM and conservation sessions focused on the ecology of the Ohio River and its watershed. Led by the Station staff and our undergraduate interns, campers get hands-on, feet-wet experiences exploring various disciplines within ecology and conservation.

The two-day camp for rising 1st-8th graders from 9 am - 3 pm June 29-30. Camp is perfect for students interested in aquatic life, nature, and science! Campers will be split into cohorts by grade level. Station faculty, staff, and undergraduate interns will lead camp programming.

To learn more, visit:

HS ECO STEM Camp: https://www.thomasmore.edu/academics/explore-campus/biology-field-station/eco-leaders-camp/

K-8 DAY STEM Camp: https://www.thomasmore.edu/moreover-magazine/summer-camps/

03/15/2026

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM...and the FREE raffle ticket! Spring break has us dreaming of summer vacation and our third annual 'Raisin' Hellbenders on the River: Concert for Conservation' at the Thomas More University Biology Field Station on July 25, 2026. Tickets are now open; purchase yours by April 15 for a FREE raffle ticket for a chance to win a brand-new kayak! https://www.thomasmore.edu/academics/explore-campus/biology-field-station/concert-for-conservation/

P.S. Thanks to our sponsors that have already signed on to support the event, including Aramark, the Louisville Zoo, MadTree Brewing Co., Music Fund Cincinnati, Schack's Yaks, Riverfront RV, and WAVE Foundation. We are so grateful for their generosity and commitment to conservation!

Address

8309 Mary Ingles Highway
California, KY
41007

Telephone

+18596356941

Website

https://www.thomasmore.edu/biology-field-station/

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