FSML: Development of a Multi-Use Facility at Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Field Station

Western Illinois University, Macomb IL

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides partial support for construction of a new multipurpose building at the Alice L. Kibbe field station located on the Mississippi River near the Illinois border with Iowa and Missouri. The 4200 sq. ft. building will include dormitory accommodations for 48, and a combination dining hall and auditorium and associated kitchen. The facility will be constructed with using insulated concrete forms, which provides a building with significantly increased energy efficiency over standard frame construction, and protection from tornados and strong storms, which the existing station facilities do not provide. The Kibbe station has an active undergraduate and graduate research program, a long tradition of summer field classes, and an increasing number of K-12 educational and service-oriented programs. Ongoing research includes long-term studies on the population dynamics and diversity of freshwater mussels, turtles, fish, amphibians and fungi as well as, studies about the wintering ecology of bald eagles, and the influence of white-tailed deer browsing on herbaceous and woody diversity are in progress. Undergraduate and graduate level classes in a variety of biological fields have been offered since 1966.