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PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

University of Nebraska's Cedar Point Biological Station is a field research facility and experiential classroom in western Nebraska near the city of Ogallala and Lake McConaughy. It is part of Nebraska's School of Biological Sciences, with 900 acres of prairie and cedar-filled canyons, housing, dining facility, library, classroom space and research labs.

The station sits in the heart of the western high plains near the juncture of tall grass and short grass prairie, on the south edge of the Sandhills and the North Platte River valley. The success of the Cedar Point experience draws on the wide variety of local habitats, with an abundance and diversity of flora and fauna. The station sits near diverse aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, where more than 340 bird species have been observed.

"The value of research experience for our students cannot be overstated."

Cedar Point Biological Station is open for research and educational activities from approximately May 1st to August 15th and for individual events through mid-October. Each summer, the School of Biological Sciences offers eight experience-based field courses in biology at Cedar Point that focus on student-based research.

Originally homesteaded by Dr. S.P. Gainsforth, and named Cedar Point Ranch, much of the land was sold to the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District to build Kingsley Dam and form Lake McConaughy. The family also gifted the Girl Scouts a campsite in 1949. When the camp closed, the land was returned to the family. In 1974, the university began negotiations to lease the old camp and convert it to the field station. In 2000, the Gainsforths donated the remaining land to the university.