Recently I checked out a “living laboratory” in the Iowa great Lakes Region on Lake West Okoboji. The Lakeside Lab is a state research facility I believe operated by Iowa State University. Built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp during America’s great depression these stone buildings house research facilities for ecology and conservation. A sign states the stone buildings are named for five Iowans, early scientists in their respective fields, Thomas McBride, Bohumil Shimek, Louis Pammel, Samuel Calvin and Joseph Bodine. The buildings are used each summer for university courses and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 1909 the Lakeside Lab is one of the oldest field stations in the U.S. Researchers and students visit the facilities each summer to study various habitats located within the Lakes’ region and it serves as an outdoor laboratory.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
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- A map showing the Lakeside Laboratory, one of the oldest field stations in the United States, founded in 1909 and situated in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Saturday, August 14, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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- West Lake Okoboji sits just beyond the Lakeside Laboratory, one of the oldest field stations in the United States, founded in 1909 and situated in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Saturday, August 14, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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- A trail that borders West Like Okoboji leads away from the Lakeside Laboratory, one of the oldest field stations in the United States, founded in 1909 and situated in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Saturday, August 14, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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- The Lakeside Laboratory is one of the oldest field stations in the United States, founded in 1909 and situated in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Saturday, August 14, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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- The Lakeside Laboratory is one of the oldest field stations in the United States, founded in 1909 and situated in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Saturday, August 14, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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- The Lakeside Laboratory is one of the oldest field stations in the United States, founded in 1909 and situated in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, Saturday, August 14, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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