The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) and the University of Minnesota Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories (IBSL) took time this summer to learn from each other. Teams from each field station visited their counterpart’s campus as part of an exchange program funded by the Organization of Biological Field Stations.
The two stations have a lot in common. Founded in 1909, UMBS is one of the nation’s largest and longest continuously operating field research stations. Laboratories and cabins are tucked into more than 11,000 acres along Douglas Lake to support longterm science knowledge and education. IBSL has operated since 1907 with cabins, a dining hall, and teaching and research facilities situated along the eastern shore of Lake Itasca on its 49-acre campus inside the 32,000-acre Itasca State Park.
In July, the IBSL team visited Michigan. In August, members of the UMBS team traveled to Itasca.
“We got to meet our doppelgängers,” says Jonathan Schilling, IBSL director. During their stay in northern Michigan, the IBSL team explored laboratories and research sites at UMBS, and met with staff to discuss administrative processes, facilities, and research and education programs.
“It was a huge success,” says Aimée Classen, UMBS director. “Not only was it valuable to have the Itasca team here so we could see our field station and operations through their eyes, it was helpful to see how they run things. We learned a lot — from ideas on research and academic programming to thinking about how to reduce paper waste in our dining hall.”
Director Schilling concurs. “We learned so much by visiting, sharing tips, and spending time at UMBS, and we all made connections that will be lasting,” he says. “It was a unique opportunity for those in operations roles. Imagine the value of demonstrating to an entire staff that we are not alone — that others share our experiences and our sense of purpose with these jobs. It is very reaffirming and efficient networking.”
“What a rewarding experience,” said UMBS Associate Director Karie Slavik. “By matching up respective positions, we were able to discuss our specific approaches to our roles. We have very similar challenges, and we learned from each other new ways to navigate them. It was fun to troubleshoot together. Our field stations have different programming and land management styles, but the fundamentals are the same — our dedication to research and teaching.”
“The joy of this experience has been in discovering another biological station so similar to ours,” IBSL Associate Director Emily Schilling said. “Even though we come from different institutional ‘home teams,’ it‘s like convergent evolution: we‘ve both ended up with strikingly similar approaches to our work. This exchange was a fantastic opportunity for our IBSL staff to create new connections with UMBS colleagues who share our passion for field biology and perspectives on how to run a biological field station.” –Chrissy Billau
Excerpted from a longer article, published on the University of Michigan Biological Station website at lsa.umich.edu/umbs.