Field Station and Environmental Education Center

This hands-on restoration workshop is for individuals to learn practical, low- cost techniques to design and build wetlands that specifically provide habitat for Midwest amphibians. Attendees will learn how to select appropriate locations, test soil texture, choose the best construction technique, work with equipment operators, and establish native wetland plants.A contractor will use a large excavator to create a wetland on-site during the wetland workshop. Supplemental instruction in wetland soils, hydrology, wildlife and vegetation, along with an engaging PowerPoint presentation on the principles of wetland construction are included.Tom Biebighauser, primary instructor, has over 48 years of wetland and stream restoration experience and has built over 3,650 wetlands and streams in 26-States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico. He teaches practical wetland restoration workshops around the world where participants learn about restoration by becoming involved in the design and construction of natural-appearing and functioning wetlands for rare species. He’s written 4 books about wetland restoration techniques and instructs graduate-level courses on the topic at two Universities. Tom has received 44 awards for his contributions to wetland restoration, including the National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration in 2015. You can view videos he has produced showing how to build wetlands here.​Who should attend? Students, biologists, foresters, hydrologists, engineers, landscape architects, and restoration ecologists. No need for wetland experience to attend. Cost for Students: $175Cost for Professionals: $400Register online hereAccommodations: Participants are responsible for their own accommodation and meals. There are hotels near the intersection of McGalliard Ave. and Bethel Ave. near the work site. Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide, book by Thomas R. Biebighauser, will be available for sale (Venmo accepted for payment)For more information, please contact John Taylor

This hands-on restoration workshop is for individuals to learn practical, low- cost techniques to design and build wetlands that specifically provide habitat for Midwest amphibians. Attendees will learn how to select appropriate locations, test soil texture, choose the best construction technique, work with equipment operators, and establish native wetland plants.A contractor will use a large excavator to create a wetland on-site during the wetland workshop. Supplemental instruction in wetland soils, hydrology, wildlife and vegetation, along with an engaging PowerPoint presentation on the principles of wetland construction are included.Tom Biebighauser, primary instructor, has over 48 years of wetland and stream restoration experience and has built over 3,650 wetlands and streams in 26-States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico. He teaches practical wetland restoration workshops around the world where participants learn about restoration by becoming involved in the design and construction of natural-appearing and functioning wetlands for rare species. He’s written 4 books about wetland restoration techniques and instructs graduate-level courses on the topic at two Universities. Tom has received 44 awards for his contributions to wetland restoration, including the National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration in 2015. You can view videos he has produced showing how to build wetlands here.​Who should attend? Students, biologists, foresters, hydrologists, engineers, landscape architects, and restoration ecologists. No need for wetland experience to attend. Cost for Students: $175Cost for Professionals: $400Register online hereAccommodations: Participants are responsible for their own accommodation and meals. There are hotels near the intersection of McGalliard Ave. and Bethel Ave. near the work site. Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide, book by Thomas R. Biebighauser, will be available for sale (Venmo accepted for payment)For more information, please contact John Taylor

RESCHEDULED: Visit the BSU Nature Lab and Rinard Orchid Greenhouse for our annual Magic School Bus Halloween Program on... Halloween! On October 31st, strap your seatbelts and get ready to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy with the Frizz. We will show 3 episodes of the classic Magic School Bus throughout the day: at 10:30am, 12:00pm, and 1:30pm. In between episodes, we will have activities and crafts related to each episode out for our families to explore. Costumes are encouraged (but not required), and candy will be provided. We hope you'll buzz on by!

The BSU Field Station & Environmental Education Center and the BSU School of Earth, Atmosphere, & Sustainability will be hosting the Environmental Education Association of Indiana's annual conference from November 13-15th, 2026. The 2026 conference will feature educational sessions around the theme "From Schoolyard to Stewardship: Educational Pathways to Green Futures." We're excited to welcome Dr. Tom McConnell as the keynote speaker. During this conference, the Environmental Education Center (AKA the Nature Lab) will be CLOSED to the public. The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Christy Woods, and the Teaching & Research Greenhouse will remain open for their normal hours of operation.

The BSU Field Station & Environmental Education Center and the BSU School of Earth, Atmosphere, & Sustainability will be hosting the Environmental Education Association of Indiana's annual conference from November 13-15th, 2026. The 2026 conference will feature educational sessions around the theme "From Schoolyard to Stewardship: Educational Pathways to Green Futures." We're excited to welcome Dr. Tom McConnell as the keynote speaker. During this conference, the Environmental Education Center (AKA the Nature Lab) will be CLOSED to the public. The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Christy Woods, and the Teaching & Research Greenhouse will remain open for their normal hours of operation.

The BSU Field Station & Environmental Education Center and the BSU School of Earth, Atmosphere, & Sustainability will be hosting the Environmental Education Association of Indiana's annual conference from November 13-15th, 2026. The 2026 conference will feature educational sessions around the theme "From Schoolyard to Stewardship: Educational Pathways to Green Futures." We're excited to welcome Dr. Tom McConnell as the keynote speaker. During this conference, the Environmental Education Center (AKA the Nature Lab) will be CLOSED to the public. The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Christy Woods, and the Teaching & Research Greenhouse will remain open for their normal hours of operation.

Many of our favorite foods - bananas, coffee, papayas, vanilla, and more - are found in rainforest habitats! Visit the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse for a self-guided activity about the plants in our collection that grow foods we like to eat. Then, head into the Nature Lab to sample dishes made by BSU culinary students, composed of tropical ingredients, some of which were sourced from the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse!

Visit the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Environmental Education Center (AKA the Nature Lab), and Christy Woods for our annual Holiday in Bloom program, in conjunction with the annual BSU Holiday Arts & Culture Night.