Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Ordway Field Station.

The field station is a 278-acre parcel of land owned by Macalester College. Beginning in the 1950s, with the rise of ecology and environmental issues, Macalester was keeping its collective eyes peeled for the possibility of acquiring a field station for the purpose of study and research. In 1967, Macalester received a gift of $150,000 from Katharine Ordway, allowing the college to purchase the property. Located in Inver Grove Heights, the bluff land, along the Mississippi River, was named in Ordway’s honor.

Biology professor Jerald Dosch is director of the Katharine Ordway Natural History Study Area.

Ordway has been a source of some reputation: Macalester is one of only four liberal arts colleges in Minnesota, and the only college in the Twin Cities, to boast a field station. Thousands of people have used the area for education, recreation, and research. The field station welcomes scout groups, naturalists, birders, researchers, photographers, artists, teachers, and others. Individuals or groups wishing to visit should contact Professor Dosch.

April 3 2017

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