Conservation and ecological research require observation over time.

The newly constructed Ozarks Education Center at Missouri State University’s Bull Shoals Field Station provides  better amenities for completing such observation.

The research facility’s 4,000 square feet property offers a central location for education and ecological research conducted by MSU faculty and students, other universities and nonprofit organizations.

The center hosted a dedication event June 25 to celebrate the facility’s opening.

“We’re grateful to have the new Ozarks Education Center property available for research and discovery. The land includes a number of features of interest to biology, geology, chemistry and geography faculty and students,” said Dr. Tamera Jahnke, dean of MSU’s College of Natural and Applied Sciences. “More importantly, this new facility and land will allow for long-term research projects.”

Making it possible

The significant contributions of several donors made the new center’s construction possible:

• Terry Chase, who gifted the land as part of the Onward, Upward campaign.
• The Missouri General Assembly, particularly former Senator David Sater and former Representative Lyle Rowland, appropriated state funds to construct the building.

About the construction

The center is located near Cedarcreek, Missouri.

The facility includes sleeping and bathing quarters, a dining center, classroom space and room for program activities.

It also has two special features: a breezeway called a dogtrot and three bunkhouses separate from the main building.

“The dogtrot is an Ozarks’ vernacular building strategy used prior to modern air conditioning as a means of cooling a space. The center has a skylight and amazing views west to watch the sun set,” said Mark Wheeler, MSU university architect.

Wheeler added that the bunkhouses allow researchers visiting the center to have a more meaningful and richer engagement with the site.

The new construction has already been recognized for its quality features, including:

• AIA Springfield’s 2020 Honor Award, Excellence in Design.
• AIA Kansas 2020 Honor Award, Excellence in Design.
• AIA Central States 2020 Merit Award, Excellence in Design.

Explore the center’s amenities