About Itasca

Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories was established nearly 100 years ago to train forestry students and expanded in 1935 to include biology students. The Station lies within Itasca State Park, Minnesota's oldest park, on the eastern shore of Lake Itasca near the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are 70 buildings within the complex -- including classrooms, laboratories, a library, cabins, and a dining hall -- all surrounded by majestic 200-year-old red and white pines. The quiet environment and isolation provide an ideal setting for intensive laboratory courses in molecular and cellular biology techniques, neuroscience and other key growth areas in biology.

Three great ecosystems converge at this unique site: coniferous forest, eastern deciduous forest, and tall grass prairie. Plants and animals native to each ecosystem are abundant in the 50 square miles of the Park. Just 40 miles west of the Station, forests give way to prairies on the bed of an ancient glacial lake. Red Lakes bog country, yet another distinct ecosystem, is found north of the Station. The spectacular variety of undisturbed habitats make Itasca an outstanding site for field research and training.

Over the past century, tens of thousands of students -- from incoming freshman through post-doctoral fellows from across the nation and around the world -- have worked with faculty at Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories. In addition, Itasca has inspired generations of teachers and scientists in their work. More than 900 peer-reviewed publications and dissertations have resulted from research at the Station since its founding. Students often have their first exposure to designing and completing independent research projects at Itasca, and more than 2,200 student project reports are on file in the Station library.

The Itasca Station is an important component of the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota, available to all CBS undergraduate and graduate students. The Station also serves the University community at large, hosting programs from eight colleges and many more departments. Other institutions and groups may use the Station as well. Research at Itasca is the quintessential experience for biologists at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere!

Supporting the Station

Itasca turns 100!