Southern Arkansas University officials dedicated a portion of Laney Farm to the new Sensitive Scientific Study Area, where field research and other educational activities will be conducted by the Biology Department.
The dedication was made on Monday, November 25, 2019, following two ground breaking ceremonies at SAU. Laney Farm is located just north of Magnolia and is also the site of the new Farmers Bank & Trust Trap Shooting Facility.
From left, Kjärstin Carlson-Drexler, instructor of biology; Dr. Gija Geme, professor of chemistry and NRRC director; Dr. Jeremy Chamberlain, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Antoinette Odendaal, associate professor of biology and chemistry; Dr. Rory Carroll, assistant professor of biology and wildlife ecologist; Dr. Abe Tucker, biology chair; Dr. James Hyde, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Daniel McDermott, assistant professor of biology, Dr. Abdel Bachri, dean of the College of Science and Engineering (kneeling), and Dr. Trey Berry, SAU president, reveal the new Sensitive Scientific Study Area at the Laney Farm on Monday, November 25, 2019.
Dr. Trey Berry, SAU president, as well as biology faculty and other administration officials attended the dedication, at which a sign was unveiled designating the Study Area. It is a protected biological and ecological research area that will benefit SAU students in new and exciting ways.
Scientists will use the Study Area to collect samples and do other types of field research vital to SAU. The area features many different habitats including a hay field, a stream-fed pond, woods and wetlands, all suitable for a wide variety of scientific purposes. Dr. Abraham Tucker, chair of the department, said an interpretive trail is also in discussion for the area.
With the new trap shooting range, Laney Farm will serve many recreational, educational and conservational uses for SAU.
Tucker thanked Dr. Berry as well as SAU administration and the Physical Plant for supporting the project. He said Dr. Rory Carroll, Dr. Gija Geme, Dr. Antoinette Odendaal, and Dr. Jeremy Chamberlain are a few of the professors who utilize the area for their research and classwork.
