Kellogg Biological Station

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Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), Michigan State University's largest off-campus education complex, is located by Gull Lake between Kalamazoo, Michigan and Battle Creek, Michigan (about 65 miles from the main campus). Many of the facilities there were originally built by Will Keith Kellogg of Kellogg's cereal, after whom the station is named. KBS includes nearly 16.5 square kilometres of land; combined with nearby state lands and preserves, allow for large-scale studies by the biologists there. Additionally, the National Science Foundation has a Long-Term Ecological Research site at KBS.

Every year, KBS offers classes to undergraduate and graduate students in biology-related fields, including the Enhancing Linkages between Mathematics and Ecology (ELME) program, which consists of three weeks of mathematics and four weeks of field work.

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[edit] W.K. Kellogg Manor House

A prominent feature of the Biological Station is W.K. Kellogg’s Manor House. The Manor House was the summer residence of Kellogg and his second wife Dr. Carrie Staines. Designed in a Tudor inspired style, the Manor House is a two-story home, which is now used for conferences and weddings. The site also includes a carriage house, a greenhouse, caretaker’s cottage, boathouse, and authentic Dutch windmill.

The Manor House was designed by the architectural firm of Benjamin and Benjamin. Built in 1925 the Manor House served as a summer home for W.K. Kellogg and his family until 1942. Kellogg then gave permission for the house to be used by the Coast Guard as an induction and training center. With the end of World War II a need for rehabilitation centers arose. As the number of wounded soldiers rose, the Manor House was converted into an estate for injured veterans. In 1951 ownership of the estate changed hands. Upon Mr. Kellogg’s death, the Manor House and its surrounding land was given to Michigan State University. From the 32 acres and outbuildings the Kellogg Biological Station was formed.

In 1998 a grant was given by the Kellogg Foundation to restore the Manor House to its original state. Clay roof tiles, and paint were used to return the Manor House to its original beauty. Windows and doors were replaced and repairs were made to the original Rookwood tiles. The Manor House is now open for tours, tea ceremonies, weddings, and conferences.


[edit] Gull Lake Library

This MSU branch library, also known as the Gull Lake Library [1], is part of Michigan State University's W.K. Kellogg Biological Station. The Gull Lake Library contains over 12,00 volumes, many of which are bound journal volumes. Nearly 150 current serial titles are received. The collection supports the research interests of KBS faculty, staff, students and visiting scientists in aquatic and terrestrial ecology, evolution, behavior and agro-ecology.[1] KBS is Michigan State University's largest off-campus education complex and one of North America's premier inland field stations.[1]

The first director of the station, Dr. Walter F. Morofsky, was an entomologist with MSU. Today the library has a strong historical entomology collection. Early Bird sanctuary research and teaching led to a good waterfowl collection. Once the year round research station was established in 1965, and the branch library was established, a strong research program in limnology was begun, which continues to this day. Currently, there are strong research programs in limnology, microbial ecology, plant ecology, agricultural ecology, fish ecology and vertebrate behavioral ecology.

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