Visit the Field Station’s On-Campus Properties
All Field Station Properties are free to visit, and on-campus properties are open to the public year-round. All properties are closed to the public on major holidays and additional university holidays.
Requests for tours, programs, and visits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Two weeks’ notice is preferred for optimal planning time. Please scroll down for more information regarding group visits and to request a tour of one or more properties.
TOUR REQUEST FORM
For additional information regarding visiting the campus in general, visit the Office of Community Engagement Visitor Resources page.
Christy Woods
Christy Woods has over 100 years of history as an outdoor teaching laboratory for Ball State University. Located on the southwest corner of our beautiful campus, Christy Woods is a 17-acre natural area filled with mature deciduous forest and tall grass prairie, is home to our Environmental Education Center, and houses Ball State University’s four greenhouses. Christy Woods has a highly diverse plant community, which in turn attract a multitude of animals that reside and migrated through. Ball State University classes across all disciplines use the area as an educational resource and we welcome and encourage preK-12th grade group visitation.
Please go over these rules with your chaperones and students prior to the field trip.
- The program educator depends on and appreciates your ability to manage the class. Programs will end early if students are unable to participate in a safe, constructive learning environment.
- Make sure your group stays together on the trails. If possible, a chaperone should bring up the back of the group to eliminate stragglers.
- Please pay attention to the program educator and listen for instructions about how chaperones can be helpful.
- Encourage chaperones to keep an eye on ALL children, not just their own.
- Chaperones and teachers, please silence your cell phones and put them away during the program so you can interact with students.
- For safety and to preserve our forest and greenhouses, no one is to venture off trail or collect any living material (leaves, branches, flowers, animals, insects, etc.).
- Please no yelling, running, or inappropriate behavior.
- If a student refuses to follow the guidelines or is otherwise disruptive, we will ask a teacher or chaperone to stay with the student until the program is completed.
- Throughout your visit, please enforce the FSEEC’s rules and quietly address misbehaving students.
Thank you for your commitment and care in chaperoning your students.
- There are 4 visitor parking spots available in front of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center in the G13 parking lot. Visitors can get a yellow visitor parking pass from the Orchid Greenhouse to hang in their car to park in these spots. If the visitor spots are full, visitors can also park in the overflow/commuter lot to the left of the Glick Center for Glass using the same yellow parking pass.
- Additional paid metered parking can be found along University and Riverside Avenues.
- School buses may drop off students in the pull-off area near the Riverside Avenue entrance to the Cooper Science Complex. Bus parking is available directly south of the Pittenger Student Center, along College Avenue (near the Student Center Parking Garage). For more information, please contact Parking Services.
- Programs can begin in front of the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse or the Brown Planetarium. Please confirm a meeting location with our Environmental Educator in advance of your program. Plan to arrive at your meeting location at least 5 minutes before your scheduled program time. Any group arriving later may forfeit the opportunity for their program. Please call 215-439-1923 if you encounter an unexpected delay.
- If someone in your group requires special accommodations, please note this in the “Do you have any questions or additional information you would like us to know?” section of the group visit request form or notify our Environmental Educator at least 2 weeks in advance.
- At this time, trails in Christy Woods are not easily accessible for visitors with limited mobility. However, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center are accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
- Service animals are welcome in FSEEC properties.
Single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms are available in the Vestibule and Conservatory of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center. Bathrooms are handicap-accessible and provide baby-changing stations.
- Limited bag-lunch facilities are available in the Environmental Education Center. Reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance by contacting our Environmental Educator.
- When weather permits, groups are welcome to eat outside on the Quad, south of the Cooper Science Complex and the David Owsley Museum of Art. Picnics are not allowed on Field Station properties, with the exception of the Environmental Education Center.
- For groups wishing to purchase meals on campus, two food courts are within walking distance (15 minutes) of Christy Woods and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse: The Atrium in the Art and Journalism Building and the Tally in the Student Center.
Teaching and Research Greenhouse
At 4,255 square feet, Ball State’s Teaching and Research Greenhouse is home to the University’s primary Teaching Collection, which is a highly diverse collection of over 3,000 specimens representing over 100 different plant families. In this facility, Ball State students are able to examine and study plants from all over the globe. Constructed in 1992, the Teaching and Research Greenhouse also provides growing space and support for research projects and supplies laboratory specimens for students studying general biology, science education and botany.
Please go over these rules with your chaperones and students prior to the field trip.
- The program educator depends on and appreciates your ability to manage the class. Programs will end early if students are unable to participate in a safe, constructive learning environment.
- Make sure your group stays together on the trails. If possible, a chaperone should bring up the back of the group to eliminate stragglers.
- Please pay attention to the program educator and listen for instructions about how chaperones can be helpful.
- Encourage chaperones to keep an eye on ALL children, not just their own.
- Chaperones and teachers, please silence your cell phones and put them away during the program so you can interact with students.
- For safety and to preserve our forest and greenhouses, no one is to venture off trail or collect any living material (leaves, branches, flowers, animals, insects, etc.).
- Please no yelling, running, or inappropriate behavior.
- If a student refuses to follow the guidelines or is otherwise disruptive, we will ask a teacher or chaperone to stay with the student until the program is completed.
- Throughout your visit, please enforce the FSEEC’s rules and quietly address misbehaving students.
Thank you for your commitment and care in chaperoning your students.
- There are 4 visitor parking spots available in front of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center in the G13 parking lot. Visitors can get a yellow visitor parking pass from the Orchid Greenhouse to hang in their car to park in these spots. If the visitor spots are full, visitors can also park in the overflow/commuter lot to the left of the Glick Center for Glass using the same yellow parking pass.
- Additional paid metered parking can be found along University and Riverside Avenues.
- School buses may drop off students in the pull-off area near the Riverside Avenue entrance to the Cooper Science Complex. Bus parking is available directly south of the Pittenger Student Center, along College Avenue (near the Student Center Parking Garage). For more information, please contact Parking Services.
- Programs can begin in front of the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse or the Brown Planetarium. Please confirm a meeting location with our Environmental Educator in advance of your program. Plan to arrive at your meeting location at least 5 minutes before your scheduled program time. Any group arriving later may forfeit the opportunity for their program. Please call 215-439-1923 if you encounter an unexpected delay.
- If someone in your group requires special accommodations, please note this in the “Do you have any questions or additional information you would like us to know?” section of the group visit request form or notify our Environmental Educator at least 2 weeks in advance.
- At this time, trails in Christy Woods are not easily accessible for visitors with limited mobility. However, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center are accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
- Service animals are welcome in FSEEC properties.
Single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms are available in the Vestibule and Conservatory of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center. Bathrooms are handicap-accessible and provide baby-changing stations.
- Limited bag-lunch facilities are available in the Environmental Education Center. Reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance by contacting our Environmental Educator.
- When weather permits, groups are welcome to eat outside on the Quad, south of the Cooper Science Complex and the David Owsley Museum of Art. Picnics are not allowed on Field Station properties, with the exception of the Environmental Education Center.
- For groups wishing to purchase meals on campus, two food courts are within walking distance (15 minutes) of Christy Woods and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse: The Atrium in the Art and Journalism Building and the Tally in the Student Center.
Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse
With over 2,000 orchids, the 3,400 square foot Rinard Orchid Greenhouse contains the largest university-based orchid collection in the United States. Home to the Wheeler-Thanhauser Orchid Collection and Species Bank and the Betty Kendall Ladyslipper Orchid Species Collection, the collection as a whole is a living museum which provides conservation of rare and endangered orchid species within a tropical setting. We are an educational resource used by Ball State students in multiple disciplines and regularly schedule events and educational programs to the general public.
Please go over these rules with your chaperones and students prior to the field trip.
- The program educator depends on and appreciates your ability to manage the class. Programs will end early if students are unable to participate in a safe, constructive learning environment.
- Make sure your group stays together on the trails. If possible, a chaperone should bring up the back of the group to eliminate stragglers.
- Please pay attention to the program educator and listen for instructions about how chaperones can be helpful.
- Encourage chaperones to keep an eye on ALL children, not just their own.
- Chaperones and teachers, please silence your cell phones and put them away during the program so you can interact with students.
- For safety and to preserve our forest and greenhouses, no one is to venture off trail or collect any living material (leaves, branches, flowers, animals, insects, etc.).
- Please no yelling, running, or inappropriate behavior.
- If a student refuses to follow the guidelines or is otherwise disruptive, we will ask a teacher or chaperone to stay with the student until the program is completed.
- Throughout your visit, please enforce the FSEEC’s rules and quietly address misbehaving students.
Thank you for your commitment and care in chaperoning your students.
- There are 4 visitor parking spots available in front of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center in the G13 parking lot. Visitors can get a yellow visitor parking pass from the Orchid Greenhouse to hang in their car to park in these spots. If the visitor spots are full, visitors can also park in the overflow/commuter lot to the left of the Glick Center for Glass using the same yellow parking pass.
- Additional paid metered parking can be found along University and Riverside Avenues.
- School buses may drop off students in the pull-off area near the Riverside Avenue entrance to the Cooper Science Complex. Bus parking is available directly south of the Pittenger Student Center, along College Avenue (near the Student Center Parking Garage). For more information, please contact Parking Services.
- Programs can begin in front of the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse or the Brown Planetarium. Please confirm a meeting location with our Environmental Educator in advance of your program. Plan to arrive at your meeting location at least 5 minutes before your scheduled program time. Any group arriving later may forfeit the opportunity for their program. Please call 215-439-1923 if you encounter an unexpected delay.
- If someone in your group requires special accommodations, please note this in the “Do you have any questions or additional information you would like us to know?” section of the group visit request form or notify our Environmental Educator at least 2 weeks in advance.
- At this time, trails in Christy Woods are not easily accessible for visitors with limited mobility. However, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center are accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
- Service animals are welcome in FSEEC properties.
Single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms are available in the Vestibule and Conservatory of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center. Bathrooms are handicap-accessible and provide baby-changing stations.
- Limited bag-lunch facilities are available in the Environmental Education Center. Reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance by contacting our Environmental Educator.
- When weather permits, groups are welcome to eat outside on the Quad, south of the Cooper Science Complex and the David Owsley Museum of Art. Picnics are not allowed on Field Station properties, with the exception of the Environmental Education Center.
- For groups wishing to purchase meals on campus, two food courts are within walking distance (15 minutes) of Christy Woods and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse: The Atrium in the Art and Journalism Building and the Tally in the Student Center.
Environmental Education Center
PreK-12th grade students
- Request a field trip for your school by using the "TOUR REQUEST FORM" button above. You can select as many of our on-campus facilities to visit as you would like.
- If you would like to visit other locations on campus (such as the Planetarium or David Owsley Art Museum) in addition to our facilities, please head to the Ball State Field Trips page.
- All programs align with state and national science standards when applicable, and provide hands-on learning opportunities for your students. Programs can be modified to align with what your students are learning in your classroom. Past topics have included habitats, flora and fauna, pollinators, geology, weather, and so much more. Please contact our Environmental Educator if you would like to chat about what we can provide for your students.
College classes
- The Nature Lab is not used for regularly scheduled Ball State courses, but it can be reserved for individual class times when appropriate. This can include life-science courses that plan to visit Christy Woods or the Greenhouses; educational courses looking for opportunities to observe or practice teaching public and school groups; and more.
- Please contact our Environmental Educator to set up a time for your class to visit.
Parents and Guardians
- Guardians and their children are welcome to visit the Nature Lab anytime during our public hours. Please check out our monthly calendar to see what dates and times we are open this month to the public.
- If you homeschool your children or are a part of a homeschool co-op, the Nature Lab is a great space for science learning. Please contact our Environmental Educator to learn more and schedule activities for your children.
- The Nature Lab provides a variety of activities for younger learners on Saturdays from 10:00-3:00pm. Activities include story time, crafts, and other hands-on learning opportunities.
Please go over these rules with your chaperones and students prior to the field trip.
- The program educator depends on and appreciates your ability to manage the class. Programs will end early if students are unable to participate in a safe, constructive learning environment.
- Make sure your group stays together on the trails. If possible, a chaperone should bring up the back of the group to eliminate stragglers.
- Please pay attention to the program educator and listen for instructions about how chaperones can be helpful.
- Encourage chaperones to keep an eye on ALL children, not just their own.
- Chaperones and teachers, please silence your cell phones and put them away during the program so you can interact with students.
- For safety and to preserve our forest and greenhouses, no one is to venture off trail or collect any living material (leaves, branches, flowers, animals, insects, etc.).
- Please no yelling, running, or inappropriate behavior.
- If a student refuses to follow the guidelines or is otherwise disruptive, we will ask a teacher or chaperone to stay with the student until the program is completed.
- Throughout your visit, please enforce the FSEEC’s rules and quietly address misbehaving students.
Thank you for your commitment and care in chaperoning your students.
- There are 4 visitor parking spots available in front of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center in the G13 parking lot. Visitors can get a yellow visitor parking pass from the Orchid Greenhouse to hang in their car to park in these spots. If the visitor spots are full, visitors can also park in the overflow/commuter lot to the left of the Glick Center for Glass using the same yellow parking pass.
- Additional paid metered parking can be found along University and Riverside Avenues.
- School buses may drop off students in the pull-off area near the Riverside Avenue entrance to the Cooper Science Complex. Bus parking is available directly south of the Pittenger Student Center, along College Avenue (near the Student Center Parking Garage). For more information, please contact Parking Services.
- Programs can begin in front of the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse or the Brown Planetarium. Please confirm a meeting location with our Environmental Educator in advance of your program. Plan to arrive at your meeting location at least 5 minutes before your scheduled program time. Any group arriving later may forfeit the opportunity for their program. Please call 215-439-1923 if you encounter an unexpected delay.
- If someone in your group requires special accommodations, please note this in the “Do you have any questions or additional information you would like us to know?” section of the group visit request form or notify our Environmental Educator at least 2 weeks in advance.
- At this time, trails in Christy Woods are not easily accessible for visitors with limited mobility. However, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center are accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
- Service animals are welcome in FSEEC properties.
Single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms are available in the Vestibule and Conservatory of the Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and the Environmental Education Center. Bathrooms are handicap-accessible and provide baby-changing stations.
- Limited bag-lunch facilities are available in the Environmental Education Center. Reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance by contacting our Environmental Educator.
- When weather permits, groups are welcome to eat outside on the Quad, south of the Cooper Science Complex and the David Owsley Museum of Art. Picnics are not allowed on Field Station properties, with the exception of the Environmental Education Center.
- For groups wishing to purchase meals on campus, two food courts are within walking distance (15 minutes) of Christy Woods and the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse: The Atrium in the Art and Journalism Building and the Tally in the Student Center.
Have Questions?
Contact the Field Station and Environmental Education Center so we can help.
CONTACT US