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College of biological sciences

Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories

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  • About the station
    • Overview
    • Station facilities
    • Big River Continuum artist exchange
    • Support our work
  • Field biology courses
    • Courses offered
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    • Research opportunities
    • Publications
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    • Student research papers
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About the station

Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories (IBSL) is a University of Minnesota field station dedicated to research and teaching on how ecosystems work, with an eye to cultivating an appreciation of their value and preservation for future generations. Three ecosystems converge at Itasca: coniferous forest, eastern deciduous forest, and tall grass prairie. Plants and animals native to each are abundant in the 50 square miles of Itasca State Park. 

Over the past century, the station has attracted tens of thousands of students, teachers, and scientists. The Itasca library holds more than 925 articles and dissertations, and 2,500 student papers based on research carried out at Itasca.

The Mississippi River

The headwaters of the Mississippi River are located within Itasca State Park and the river itself is a rich source for field biology research and education. CBS students study aspects of the river, including its microbial diversity. Here are some facts about the river:

  • The Mississippi River flows 2,340 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The first 50 miles, navigable only by canoe, are the last vestige of the wild Mississippi.
  • It takes a raindrop approximately 90 days to travel from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The river's watershed drains 41 percent of the continental United States, or between 1.2 and 1.8 million square miles.

Learn more about Itasca's geological history, human history, and flora and fauna.

 

College of Biological Sciences

123 Snyder Hall
1475 Gortner Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108

Student Services

3-104 MCB
420 Washington Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

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  • About the station
    • Overview
      • Flora and fauna
      • Geological history
      • Mississippi river
      • Human history
      • Minnesota’s Lake, Itasca
    • Station facilities
      • Itasca Biome Center
      • Itasca buildings by year
      • Research and education facilities
      • Station maps
    • Big River Continuum artist exchange
    • Support our work
  • Field biology courses
    • Courses offered
    • Student scholarships
    • Student experience
  • Research
    • Research opportunities
    • Publications
    • Data resources
    • Student research papers
    • Lab safety plan
  • Plan your visit
    • Directions
    • Lodging
    • Dining
    • Policies and forms
    • NOL information for staff
    • Frequently asked questions
  • News
    • New from Itasca
    • Upstream newsletter
  • Contact us