About Us

The Reserve is the Living Laboratory of the Department of Biological Sciences, as envisioned by founder Alton Lindsey in 1949, integrating field research, teaching, and outreach in ecology.

Ross Reserve Quick Facts

• 67 acres of mature forest on the Wabash River
• Alton A. Lindsey Field Laboratory for classes and research
• 60+ years database on forest composition in a surveyed grid
• 100+ species of vertebrate animals and 400+ species of vascular plants
• 35+ undergraduate researchers annually and 150+ class projects annually
• 500+ students experience the Reserve annually during field trips
• 30 PhD dissertations, 120 scientific publications, and 60+ Masters & Honors theses
• Outreach to local schools and K-12 teachers involves 150 students annually
• 14 faculty use the Reserve for teaching, research and outreach
• A graduate "ecologist in residence:" facilitates research, teaching and outreach
• The Reserve is a center for community outreach promoting scientific literacy and understanding of the natural world