Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve Fees

As at most field stations, fees for housing, lab/office space, and research projects are an essential part of Cedar Creek’s operating budget. They make it possible for us to keep our roads, buildings, infrastructure and shared equipment in functional condition, and to continue to offer the research and logistical support our community relies on. Granting and other agencies regularly approve the payment of these types of site use fees, which are reassessed and updated annually. To account for other contributions to overhead, users fall into one of three fee categories: 

  • Internal (College of Biological Sciences projects, LTER projects, Cedar Creek staff/interns/technicians)
  • Affiliates (external collaborators on internal projects, State agencies, non-CBS UMN projects)
  • External (other groups, projects and programs, including K-12 programs, which are funded and/or run fully through other institutions). 

Cedar Creek is also committed to supporting a diversity of users to access the station, regardless of their funding situation. We do not want use fees to be a barrier, particularly for early-career scientists, community members, independent researchers and visitors from populations historically underrepresented in the sciences. If you need information on a fee waiver or subsidy, please contact Associate Director Dr. Caitlin Barale Potter (caitlin@umn.edu).

Please submit reservation requests as early as possible, particularly for requests in our peak season of May to October. Last minute requests will be accommodated as resources, space and staffing permit. Priority for housing is given to research and academic users.

Fees listed below valid January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024

Expand all

Housing

Following state and University policy, sales tax is assessed on all housing stays less than 30 days. 

East, South and West Lodges, the Dome House, and the Crane House can be booked by groups for exclusive use. The exclusive use daily rate is the daily rate multiplied by the total number of beds in the unit, and ensures no other residents will be put in the lodge during your group’s stay, even if beds are available. Exclusive use of a lodge should be arranged by a group leader well in advance and may be unavailable at times of high demand. If exclusive use is not booked, we reserve the right to fill beds in shared rooms and lodges as necessary to meet requests.


Individuals: submit your housing request here

Groups (single point of contact for logistics, communication, room assignments and billing): contact Lydia Winkler (winkl068@umn.edu) with your proposed dates, group size, and general purpose of visit.

Lodging: Price per person, shared room unless noted Internal rate Affiliates rate External rate Rooms/Beds
ICON House $15 daily, exclusive use $30 daily, exclusive use $65 daily, exclusive use 1/1
East, South or West Lodge $10 daily $20 daily $50 daily 5/10 per lodge
Upper Duplex $10 daily $20 daily $50 daily 4/7
Lower Duplex $10 daily $20 daily $50 daily 3/6
Dome House $10 daily $20 daily $50 daily 2/4
Crane House (no wifi) $9 daily $16 daily $40 daily 3/6
Dormitory Bunkhouses (no wifi; small: 6 beds; large: 10 beds) $9 daily $16 daily $40 daily 3/16
Chickadee Cabin (no wifi, no indoor bathroom) $7 daily $12 daily $30 daily 2/2
Tent Pad (with dorm kitchen and bathroom access; provide your own tenting supplies) $7 daily $12 daily $30 daily 5/5
Linen Rental (Less than 30 days) $27.86 +tax ($30 total) $27.86 +tax ($30 total) $27.86 +tax ($30 total)
Linen Rental (More than 30 days) $55.72 +tax ($60 total) $55.72 +tax ($60 total) $55.72 +tax ($60 total)

Room rental

Cedar Creek has a handful of spaces that can be rented by groups for meetings, workshops or other short-term gatherings. If you are looking for longer-term space (office, lab, etc), please reach out to Associate Director Caitlin Barale Potter (caitlin@umn.edu) to discuss options and fees. Most spaces listed below are in daily use by Cedar Creek programs and activities in May, September and October, as well as periodically throughout the summer. Request spaces as early as possible!

To book rooms, email Operations Associate Lydia Winkler (winkl068@umn.edu) with your proposed dates, group size, and information about your organization and event/program.

 

Room rental Internal rate Affiliate rate External rate Square feet/capacity
Lindeman Main Hall (A/V system included) $150 $200 $550 1300/88
Lindeman Classroom (2 available) $75 $100 $250 600/32 per room
Lindeman Conference Room $25 $35 $50 190/8
Lawrence Assembly (limited availability) $50 $75 $150 600/50
Lawrence Sorting Room (limited availability) $50 $75 $150 380/30

Research site use fees

As at many field stations, site use or research project fees are an essential part of Cedar Creek’s budget. They make it possible for us to keep our roads, buildings, infrastructure and shared equipment in functional condition, and to continue to offer the research and logistical support our scientists rely on. Granting agencies regularly approve the payment of these types of site use fees, so researchers are encouraged to budget them into new requests for funding. 

Cedar Creek is also committed to supporting a diversity of users to access the station, regardless of their funding situation. We do not want use fees to be a barrier, particularly for early-career scientists, community members, independent researchers and researchers from populations historically underrepresented in the sciences. If you need information on a fee waiver or subsidy, please contact Associate Director Dr. Caitlin Barale Potter (caitlin@umn.edu).


To submit a project proposal, please review the information here and then follow the links to the proposal form. Please allow a minimum of two weeks to receive approval.

Annual Research Site Use Fees Internal rate Affiliates rate External rate Manipulations?
Observational study base fee $0 $500 $750 No
Experimental study base fee $0 $1000 $2500 Yes

Education programs and presentations

Cedar Creek’s education staff are trained to provide a wide variety of programs - from field trips and classroom programs for K-12 students, to tours and talks for higher education institutions, to presentations or custom programs to special interest groups or organizations. Fees listed below reference program opportunities described in detail on our K-12 pages and our Field tours and presentations page. Details for booking programs are included on those pages.

Partial and full scholarships may be available for groups unable to pay fees. Contact Kara Baldwin (612-301-2602 or baldwink@umn.edu)

Education & Public Programs Internal rate Affiliates rate External rate Hours
CCESR Staff-Guided K-12 Field Trip (Full Day) - - $330 3-5
CCESR Staff-Guided K-12 Field Trip (Half Day) - - $210 1-2
CCESR Staff-Led Classroom Program - - Variable Variable
Self-Guided college-level field trip $0 $100 $100 1-4
Standard Field Tour $0 $150 $200 1-3
Standard Presentation, onsite or on zoom $0 $100 $100 1
Standard Presentation, offsite w/in 50 miles (>50 miles will be charged an additional mileage fee) $0 $115 $130 1
Custom program $300 $400 $500 Variable