Christy Woods Outdoor Teaching Laboratory

Legend Christy Woods OGH - Orchid Greenhouse a FSEEC Property TRGH - Teaching/Research Greenhouse Offices- Staff; classroom c/o Department of Biology Muncie, IN 47306 FSEEC (765) 285-8820 or Field Station and Environmental Hours (765) 285-2641 Education Center M - F 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. http://www.bsu.edu/fseec/environment Sun. 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Apr - Oct) Introduction/History collection (used in a wide variety of class- other insects, and small mammals (to name Christy Woods is a 17 acre portion of the rooms, including biology, art, photography, only a few) have arrived to take advantage of original property given to the State of landscape architecture), and faculty and the food and cover that these plants provide. by the five in 1918. student research projects. The WOCSB is The woods and its plant life had been one of the finest collections of its type The wetland areas in Christy Woods include mistreated, mainly due to grazing by hogs. (wildtype species orchids), and contains over a fen, pond, bog and ephemeral forested Dr. O.B. Christy, former head of the Sci- 1200 orchids, of which approximately 3/4 are wetlands. These are just a few types of ences, promoted the idea of preserving the wild-type species orchids. Both facilities are wetlands that one can find in Indiana. In pre- wooded area for educational purposes, available for study and browsing when the settlement times, Indiana had 5.6 million and beginning in 1919, plans commenced staff is on duty. acres of wetlands; of those only 0.84 million for converting the original pastured wood- acres (15%) remain in very fragmented land into what became known as The Present Uses pockets throughtout the state. . With the efforts of Dr. Christy Christy Woods is an outdoor classroom and and many others, trees, shrubs and wild- fills a variety of outdoor education opportuni- Descriptive booklets illustrating plants com- flowers native to deciduous forests in ties. People of all ages and walks of life monly found in Eastern Hardwood Forests Indiana were transplanted from various enjoy Christy Woods, especially in the spring such as Christy Woods are available. They places throughout the state. Christy and autumn. are: A Field Guide to the Spring Wildflowers Woods has served as an outdoor labora- of Christy Woods, and A Field Guide to the tory for Ball State students and for the Christy Woods includes an Eastern Hard- Woody Plants of Christy Woods. Please see Muncie community almost from its concep- wood forest, tallgrass prairie, abundant a staff person to inquire about these refer- tion in 1919. spring wildflowers, and small wetland areas. ences. The focus of Christy Woods is to highlight The name of the property officially became the main ecosystems that one would have In order to preserve the plants and animals Christy Woods, in honor of Dr. O.B. found in presettlement Indiana. of Christy Woods, please Christy, on April 25, 1940. The trees, shrubs and wildflowers planted here are Christy Woods represents an Eastern 1. stay on the paths. protected and the process of restoring the Decidious Forest. Historically, nearly 20 2. do not collect any live material. woods continues to this day. million acres of Indiana were forested. Today, only 4.4 million acres of forest remain (22%). Guided tours are available as an ongoing Today, Christy Woods is one of five prop- The quality of Christy Woods as a remnant part of the educational outreach of Christy erties managed by FSEEC, BSU’s Field forest continues to increase. The Woods Woods. Please contact the FSEEC Office Station and Environmental Education contains a spectacular display of numerous for more information or to schedule a tour Center, which was founded in the year species of spring wildflowers and other native (765) 285-2641. Bus parking is available. 2000. plants. Thank you. Enjoy your visit. Facilities The tallgrass prairie area contains over 30 Christy Woods includes two main green- species of plants. These plants, and many houses: Teaching and Research Green- more, would have been found in house (TRGH), and The Wheeler Orchid presettlement Indiana’s 2 million acres of Collection and Species Bank (WOCSB). prairies. Many animal species, including The TRGH contains the main teaching hummingbirds, finches, butterflies, numerous