Christy Woods emphasizes native plants and native ecosystems of Indiana.  The area serves as an outdoor laboratory for many university courses and local schools.  The area offers opportunities for research in a variety of biological fields, and many research projects have been conducted there.

The mission of Christy Woods is to function as an outdoor learning laboratory in support of the mission of the Field Station and Environmental Education Center’s educational mission. Christy Woods also supports research by faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and applied research intrinsic to the management of Christy Woods and other properties within the Field Station, and maintains an aesthetically pleasing display of plantings of native plant species. 

In the words of Dr. O. B. Christy:

"Here it is possible for the college student to form with an organism an acquaintance which he can enjoy and use throughout life.  Not only is there subject matter, but there can be inspiration and mental refreshing by study in these areas."