The Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories is an exceptional venue for field research and education. The spaces at the field station also lend themselves to productive environments for undergraduate and graduate student orientation programs, professional workshops and meetings, and academic retreats. Please note that while we welcome a diverse range of users, the station is not open to the general public. All visits must align with the station’s mission and values.
Whether you are planning for a returning group or a first-time stay, effective planning and communication are essential for a successful visit. To ensure that all participants are safe, comfortable, and productive during their time at the station, specific factors must be addressed when developing the program activities and agenda. We outline the most important of these here.
Key factors for planners to consider
The Itasca Station is first and foremost a place for academic and professional activities.
While recreational opportunities are plentiful at the station and in the state park, program planners are responsible for ensuring that their group has a sensible plan for their time at the station that involves both productive work/study time and “down-time” to relax and unwind. Purely recreational stays at the station are not allowed.
There are benefits and challenges associated with Itasca’s remote location and unique residential living-learning-working environment.
The tranquil setting offers a unique opportunity for immersive experiences, fostering collaboration, and building strong connections among group members. Program planners should carefully consider what Itasca’s location and setting mean for their specific group, including the needs of individual members and the planned activities and agenda.
It is crucial to recognize how factors such as gender identity, physical abilities, cultural background, mental health considerations, and personal preferences can significantly influence participants' experience in a residential setting. Ensuring that each group member understands and is comfortable with their eating, sleeping, and bathroom arrangements is essential.
Itasca Station is committed to fostering an inclusive atmosphere, and our staff is available to consult program planners on how best to acknowledge and accommodate diverse needs.
Reviewing program goals and station info with group members beforehand sets expectations and ensures a successful stay.
Program planners are responsible for preparing their group members for their time at Itasca.
Be sure to communicate your program goals and why you specifically are planning your program at Itasca to help participants understand why they are coming to the field station.
Include stations materials (relevant webpages, videos, policies and code of conduct) in the information that you share with participants ahead of your stay, so they are prepared for the station's unique station living-learning-working environment. Our station orientation videos can help reduce pre-trip anxiety for those who have never visited a field station and might have some concerns around residing in a rural/remote location.
Program planners have responsibilities for ensuring participants’ comfort and safety.
Review our station policies and code of conduct with all group members (staff, faculty, students, families, and other guests) ahead of your stay.
Ensure that all group members are aware of the Itasca’ station’s health and safety guidelines. These guidelines cover everything from the location of the nearest hospital and medical clinic (35 minutes away) to how to prevent tick-borne diseases.
Gather information about participants’ health conditions and/or physical limitations that may be aggravated by planned activities. Activities should be planned around the capabilities of your group members.
Consult with Itasca Station staff about any accommodations the station may be able to provide before arrival at the station (e.g., ramps for wheelchairs, mini-fridge for insulin).
Groups that will engage in field work must develop a field safety plan and obtain proper permits for their activities.
University groups with student participants should factor in that student services are at a distance from our remote location (e.g., mental health services, disability resources etc).
Itasca staff are here to help you plan.
Our team of specialists in operations, facilities, and field education and research is ready to assist with your group's planning and onboarding. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions about dining, lodging, accessibility, research and teaching facilities/equipment, or field work permits. We are also available to consult on inclusion and belonging considerations specific to the unique living-learning-working environment of a remote field station. Additionally, we can help brainstorm ideas for program-related activities in the state park and surrounding area.
