Field Station
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute provides natural areas, laboratory space and housing to facilitate scientific research, visual art and creative writing projects, and natural resource management . The Institute annually awards grants to students from consortium colleges and universities to complete creative and research projects over the summer.
Field Station
Our field station works with a consortium of 12 colleges and universities from Michigan and Indiana. Members serve on an Advisory Board that helps to oversee and evaluate the field programs:
Aquinas College
Calvin University
Central Michigan University
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Valley State University
Hope College
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kendall College of Art and Design
Valparaiso University
Western Michigan University
Research and Education Facility
The Institute facilities include three classroom spaces, an auditorium, housing for 44, dining room and kitchen service, and laboratory space. Field station's facilities and property are available for short- and long-term research projects or for afternoon or multi-day field trips with overnight accomodatons to both consortium members and other organizations.
For more information on the facilities and detailed price estimates, please contact HR & Hospitality Manager Tracy Noorman at tnoorman@cedarcreekinstitute.org.
Grant and Fellowship Opportunities
The goal of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Field Station is to enhance the health and stability of ecosystems in West Michigan by providing scientific information to support land management decisions. In addition to science and natural resource work, the Institute provides funding for creative projects.
Applications for grant and fellowship funding are released on an annual basis in October and are due in early February. For more information about the grants and fellowships download an application below.
Questions? Contact Field Station Manager Matthew Dykstra at (269) 721-4473 or email him at mdykstra@cedarcreekinstitute.org.
Scroll down for field station opportunities!
Field Station Opportunities
Environmental Research Grants
Supports research projects focused on environmental monitoring of critical species and ecosystems and the improvement of land management tools to support ecosystem functioning.
Natural Resource Fellowships
Supports a summer work experience for students interested in careers in natural resources, wildlife, and aquatic resources management. Students work with Institute staff and researchers to complete a variety of projects throughout the summer.
Creative Fellowships
The Creative Fellowships seek to nurture the development of promising student artists and writers interested in creating works that are inspired and influenced by the natural world. The fellowships provide student artists and writers the opportunity to have the time and space for reflection and immersion in a natural environment and creative community at the Institute, so that they can develop their talent and create inspiring work. Mentors will work with student fellows to foster their growth and development. A total of 8-10 fellowships along with two mentors will be awarded for 2022. More information is available in the application below.
Student Fellowship Application (Word file)
Faculty Mentor Fellowship Application (Word file)
Interested in past Creative Fellowships? Read the recent Gordon Art and Nature in Words Fellowship reports below.
Nature in Words Fellow Ivan Reynold's report
Gordon Art Fellows Sabrina Searcy's report and Kristina Katerberg's report
Food and Housing Grants
Support student researchers who need on-site housing and food service while conducting research at the Institute or nearby areas. Grants are dependent on the availability of housing.
Go to our YouTube Channel to learn more about reserach and creative fewllowships.
Click here for information about past projects!
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Photo Credit: Richard Smith