BSU Field Station & Environmental Education Center

09/02/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VISITORS ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2026:

There is a lot of bee activity on the west side of the environmental education center. Please be aware when entering and exiting the building, and we recommend avoiding the outside area of the building on the west side. Thank you for your understanding. The bees should disperse by nightfall.

Alt text: picture of honeybees, warning to avoid western side of building and use caution entering and exiting building

08/31/2026

We hope you’ll join us!

Only eight spots remain in the Indiana Master Naturalist program, a 10-week course beginning Sept. 3 at Ball State University. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Red-tail Land Conservancy

08/31/2026

There is always something special to find in the greenhouses—even when a plant is in recovery! 🌿

Pictured is Coelogyne magna, an orchid native to the Philippines that grows as an epiphyte in wet tropical forests.

You may notice quite a bit of brown foliage in this photo. This Coelogyne magna is currently in recovery, and some of its older leaves still show the effects of previous stress. Plants do not always recover all at once, and damaged foliage can remain visible even as the plant continues growing and producing flowers.

Despite its rough edges, this orchid is putting on quite a show! Coelogyne magna produces pseudobulbs that help store water, broad leaves, and long, cascading flower spikes covered in small, star-shaped blooms.

And if you have walked into the Warm House recently and noticed a strong floral fragrance, this plant may be the source! Depending on the airflow through the greenhouse, you may catch its scent in different areas as you walk around. Sometimes you can smell the blooms before you even spot them!

Fun fact: the name Coelogyne comes from the Greek words koilos, meaning “hollow,” and gyne, meaning “woman” or “female,” referring to the recessed appearance of part of the flower’s reproductive structure.

This plant is a great reminder that recovery doesn’t always look perfect. Come check out its incredible blooms—and see if you can catch their fragrance—while they last!

Alt text:
A large Coelogyne magna orchid growing in a terracotta pot in the Warm House. Numerous long, cascading spikes of cream and yellow flowers surround the plant. Green leaves are mixed with older brown and damaged foliage as the orchid continues to recover.

08/28/2026

Did you hear the good news? Christy Woods is now open on Sundays from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.! 🌳😊

That means you can now explore Christy Woods seven days a week and see all the plants, wildlife, and other creatures thriving throughout the seasons.

Please note that the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Teaching and Research Greenhouse, and Environmental Education Center will remain closed on Sundays.

We hope you’ll take advantage of the new hours and enjoy a Sunday stroll through the woods!

Alt text:
Signage for Christy Woods displaying its updated hours, including Sunday hours from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

08/27/2026

Meet the newest member of the Nature Lab family: Petri the three-toed box turtle! 🐢

While Petri is closely related to her neighbor Beaker, they are actually two distinct subspecies. Petri is a three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis), while Beaker is an eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina).

As her name suggests, three-toed box turtles usually have three toes on their hind feet—but nature likes to keep us 'on our toes'! Some individuals have four. Three-toed box turtles also tend to have plainer-looking shells, although their coloration and markings can vary quite a bit from turtle to turtle. Three-toed box turtles native range is west of the Mississippi river in the south-central United States.

We’re excited to welcome Petri to our crew at the Education Center. Come stop by and say hello!

For now, Petri is a look-but-don’t-touch member of our animal family while she gets settled into her new home. Please enjoy visiting her through her enclosure and give her plenty of space to adjust.

Alt text:
Two images of Petri, a three-toed box turtle, showing her brown, domed shell and head.

08/26/2026

Gotta catch 'em all! Habitats, that is!

Visitors to the Nature Lab recently got creative while learning about habitats by designing their very own Poké Ball habitats! Each creation opened to reveal a minature environment complete with plants, water, animals, and other featrues their chosen creatures would need to survive.

Activities like this are a great way to combine art and imagination with environmental education. We loved seeing all the different habitats everyone created!

Alt text:

Photo 1: Three visitors smile while holding their completed Poké Ball habitat crafts.

Photo 2: Visitors sit around a yellow-covered craft table decorating paper-plate Poké Ball while creating minature habitats.

Photo 3: Overhead view of visitors working at a craft table covered with paper plates, natural materials, and other craft supplies for creating Poké Ball habitats.

Photo 4: A close-up of an open paper-plate Poké Ball revealing the miniature habitat with blue water, and green vegitation.

Photo 5: A young visitor smiles while holding their completed paper-plate Poké Ball.

08/19/2026

The Indiana Master Naturalist Program provides weekly opportunities to learn about the natural world around you - in the field and classroom alike.

Explore topics such as botany, forestry, water quality, and soil science, while also getting opportunities to meet ambassador animals and learn from knowledgeable instructors and fellow nature enthusiasts.

If you’ve ever wanted to deepen your understanding of Indiana’s natural world, this could be the perfect opportunity to get curious, get outside, and become a Master Naturalist! Register and learn more at https://fortheland.org/imn/

08/14/2026

If you're subscribed to our E-News ... you heard it there first!

The Fall 2026 Indiana Master Naturalist course with Red-tail Land Conservancy & Ball State University Field Stations in officially open and accepting registrations!

This year's course runs every Thursday between September 3rd - November 5th, 2026.

For more information or to register form IMN, please go to https://fortheland.org/imn/

08/14/2026

Our Field Station crew and some friends from Red-Tail Land Conservancy were lucky enough to take a trip down to Betley Woods Nature Preserve at Glacier’s End in Johnson County!

The name may give it away, but this area marks where the Wisconsin Glaciation stopped its southward movement. We were led by staff members on an informative hike through the preserve, where we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and learned about the work staff have done over the years to restore, manage, and improve the property.

Betley Woods is part of Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. (CILTI), an organization dedicated to preserving Central Indiana’s natural areas and protecting the plants and animals that call them home. Their work helps ensure that visitors today—and future generations—can experience the natural beauty and wonder of Indiana’s landscapes.

Since 1990, CILTI has protected more than 8,000 acres of land across Indiana!

To learn more about CILTI and the other natural areas they help protect, check out their page: Central Indiana Land Trust

Alt Text: Collage of photos from Betley Woods Nature Preserve at Glacier’s End showing forested trails, native plants, natural scenery, and group photos from the Field Station and Red-Tail Land Conservancy visit.

08/12/2026

Update: the Greenhouses and Nature Lab are closing at 3pm for the safety of staff. Thank you for your understanding.

Christy Woods is closing today due to trail flooding from thunderstorms. At this time, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Teaching and Research Greenhouse, and the Nature Lab remain open. Stay safe out there!