“This place will free your soul.”
“Allow this place to be your haven.”
“I know the first few days are rough, but just wait till the square dance, then you’ll see.”
If you enjoyed reading the scrawls on the walls — or if you left your own mark on a metal cabin — you must read A Cabin in the Woods, a fabulous story full of vignettes and photos from the U-M Heritage Project.
The University of Michigan Biological Station is lucky to have such an incredible and loyal community. We wouldn’t be who we are today without you and your time along Douglas Lake, whether it was in the 1960s, 2006 or last year.
I’m launching a new e-newsletter to connect with you about important upcoming projects.
Right off the bat, I have a big ask: I need to hear your voice. It’s critical that we honor and respect our 114-year history as we build the framework for the future of our field station in the Northwoods.
We are in the process of coming up with a campus plan and thinking about new cabin and facilities needs for our next 100 years. It’s time to make significant investments to ensure UMBS remains sustainable for future generations.
I want the Up North Campus to be 100% fossil-fuel free. A carbon-neutral status is possible. The technology is there. We can make it work, lead by example and be a model to show how one community can have an impact on the massive challenges we face with our changing climate.
Many of you have been to our field station for research, teaching, classes, departmental retreats or other programming. Please take a few minutes of your time to share your experience through what I’m calling a “User Story.” You can fill out as many User Stories as you'd like. The more stories, the better. Use this web form to transport yourself back in time and let me know the good and the bad. You won’t bore me, and you won’t hurt my feelings. We need all of your thoughts and stories.
We also encourage you to take our “A Day in the Life” survey, which is designed to help us gain a deeper understanding of a person's experiences, challenges and routines at UMBS. Your participation will make it easier for us to identify areas for improvement.
I love the biological station and its rich history. Together, we can achieve success in our mission to stay rigorous and relevant in our research and education. I’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
Read our full 2023 UMBS Newsletter for a few updates on what is happening right now at UMBS as we prepare to welcome students for the spring and summer terms.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aimée Classen
Director
University of Michigan Biological Station
