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IU selects biology professor as director of nature
preserve
Oct. 24, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University Biology Professor Keith Clay has been
named director of the new preserve recently designated by the university for
research, teaching and environmental education.
The preserve consists of two sites: Griffy Woods, a 185-acre site adjacent to
the City of Bloomington's Griffy Nature Preserve north of the campus, and
Moore's Creek, a 261-acre site in southern Monroe County adjoining Lake Monroe
and contiguous with federally owned land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
"Keith is highly respected for his research and teaching and has a strong
commitment to developing partnerships, both on and off the Bloomington campus,"
said IU Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm. "I look forward to the creative
leadership he will bring to this important new program."
Clay, an IU faculty member since 1986, is director of the Biology
Department's Plant Science Program. He was one of 13 faculty members on an IUB
task force from the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Public and
Environmental Affairs, and the School of Health, Physical Education and
Recreation that recommended creation of the preserve. The IU Board of Trustees
approved the designation in May, and Clay said formal administration of the two
sites is expected to begin in January. Research and teaching are already ongoing
at both sites.
Officials said the more readily accessible Griffy property will emphasize
undergraduate education, student research and public education. The Moore's
Creek site will be used primarily for faculty and graduate research. Both areas
are expected to support research in fields such as ecology, botany, zoology,
geology, environmental sciences and hydrology. A recent study identified more
than 40 undergraduate courses serving nearly 3,000 students annually in field
experiences on lands near IU.
Clay said the four goals for the preserves are (1) to provide natural
environments for teaching, (2) to provide a long-term laboratory for natural
science research for faculty and students, (3) to support interdisciplinary
studies that can lead to scientific discoveries and (4) to provide a resource
for public environmental sciences education.
Clay said his duties as director will involve working closely with an
executive committee of five tenured faculty members and a larger advisory
committee that will also include non-university representatives. He said the
university hopes to work closely with adjacent landowners, such as the City of
Bloomington and Army Corps of Engineers, that have similar goals for their
property. There are no present plans to construct facilities on either site, but
long-range plans may include one or two field laboratories/outdoor classrooms,
he said. Parking and trails will be improved through assistance from the Office
of the Vice President for Administration.
Funding for the preserve will come primarily from the IU Bloomington
chancellor's office as well as a variety of other IU sources. Officials hope to
work closely with the IU Foundation and the Office of Sponsored Research
Services to develop funding opportunities.
For more details, contact Clay at 812-855-8158 or clay@indiana.edu.
(Richard Doty, 812-855-0084, rgdoty@indiana.edu)