Off the Beaten Path: Field Ecology and Mountain Geology – Mountain Lake, Virginia
Program Details
- Open to students currently enrolled in Grades 9-12
- July 8-22, 2007
- $2,300 (Airfare and books not included)
- Airport: Roanoke Regional (ROA)
What participants are saying…
"This was an extremely enjoyable experience with wonderful faculty, a gorgeous site, and an awesome way to learn ecology!”—Angela, 2005 participant
The mountains of southwestern Virginia hold many exciting secrets, including a field station nestled within a protected forest that includes rare Eastern Old Growth. The secluded location of Mountain Lake Biological Station also includes streams, waterfalls, ponds, and a large natural lake, offering excellent opportunities to study aquatic biology. Just down the mountain from the station, the limestone has been slowly transformed into a Karst landscape comprised of a cave network ideal for exploration. Mountain Lake is situated just off the Appalachian Trail and a number of hiking trails lead students to breathtaking vistas nearby.
Notable Attractions and Excursions:
- Hike along the Appalachian and War Spur Trails
- Conduct independent field research
- Discover the complexities of local ecosystems
- Experience the natural beauty of the mountains of Virginia
The Site
Mountain Lake Biological Station is located in a remote hardwood forest characterized by diverse flora and fauna. Owned and operated by the University of Virginia, the field station rests in the Allegheny Mountains about 30 miles west of Blacksburg in southwestern Virginia. Located at an elevation of 4,000 feet, the station sits atop a wooded ridge in the center of approximately 110,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest. Mountain Lake provides a variety of excursion sites: original and secondary growth forests, ponds, caves, waterfalls, and cliffs. In addition, Mountain Lake Biological Station is an active research facility where biologists from around the globe study biology and share their results with the scientific community.
The Course
This course integrates ecological theory, natural history, and the practice of field research. Students will conduct studies of terrestrial, aquatic, and cave ecosystems as well as the underlying geology to develop a holistic understanding of the region. This course offers students the opportunity to learn in the field with scientists at Mountain Lake Biological Station. As part of the course, students will learn from these researchers through guest presentations, while also interacting with them daily at the station. During the second week of the course, students will design and conduct an independent research project to investigate a topic of interest to them. In the past, students have studied population dynamics of salamanders, the feeding habits of caterpillars, the progress of a devastating hemlock disease, and the effects of erosion on a pond ecosystem.
A Typical Day
Students will discover that each day at Mountain Lake is a unique adventure. Mornings may be spent discussing ecological theory or learning proper field science techniques. After lunch, students may hike to a nearby pond to sample macro-invertebrates or to a forest to investigate community structure. Later, students might return to the computer lab to analyze data for their independent research projects. Evenings could be spent in a seminar given by a resident scientist or relaxing around a campfire under the night sky. Students who are looking for a scenic outdoor adventure in which they will experience science in action are encouraged to apply.