A new field lab at IU practices what it preaches. The IU Research and Teaching Preserve’s new facility near the IU golf course opened this week. The lab improves faculty and student use of the preserve while supporting research and teaching.

The building will be the first full-fledged research station in the university’s possession while designated as IU Bloomington’s first “silver” LEED-certified structure when the approval process is complete. Of the materials used in the field lab’s construction, 50 percent is local and 17 percent recycled.

Terri Greene, Administrative Assistant, “It’s unique I don’t think there are too many opportunities like this around the country,” says department administrative assistant Terri Greene. “It allows them to get out here and they’ll spend more time doing the research as opposed to traveling and carrying things back and forth, carry specimens and samples or just getting to some place. We’re very lucky here at IU that we have not only this building, but the property. It’s just a stone’s throw away to Griffy which is part of the preserve.”

The field lab will also help secure grants. Funding agencies typically look for projects that can be started and finished locally to reduce costs.