KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 5, 2025

As the early morning sun reflects off the frosty panes of greenhouse windows and spills across a dew-covered meadow, a chorus of birds greets the day from their hidden perches in the trees that surround the Kennesaw State University Field Station and buffers it from the hum of the surrounding roadways. Just two miles from the Kennesaw Campus, this 25-acre property is a living laboratory where students and faculty can collaborate across disciplines and engage in hands-on research that feel worlds away from the bustle of metro Atlanta. 

While KSU is part of a thriving region, the university offers students a rare combination of accessibility and natural beauty, providing the best of both worlds. Graduate students from an array of programs benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories on campus, and outdoor environments like the Field Station, combining academic rigor with the added advantage of nearby professional connections and cultural experiences. 

Master’s student, Adamina Bilbrey, who is studying Integrative Biology, is using the Field Station to assess the naturally occurring plant seeds in soil samples taken from wetland areas at Sam Hole Bay, a property in Effingham County, Georgia. “We collected soil cores from these areas and set up the experiment in one of the greenhouses at the Field Station, where the seeds could germinate and later be identified,” she said. After the seeds germinate, she will evaluate what species are present and recommend management actions to support long-term restoration goals at Sam Hole Bay and other wetland areas. “Being near metro Atlanta provides unique opportunities to connect with various organizations such as the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and the Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation, […] who share similar goals,” she added.

The Field Station also encourages exploration beyond its current projects. Graduate students have the opportunity to do additional research in areas such as apiculture, bioremediation, surveying, and civil engineering. Sydney Morton, who is also in the M.S. Integrative Biology program, used the Field Station to assist with her research on the genetic diversity of urban field mice. She says, “The KSU Field Station was a great resource to do fieldwork for my thesis work. It gave me access to a natural forested habitat where I was able to set small mammal traps and gather the data I needed. The staff was supportive and communicative which made fieldwork smooth and enjoyable.” Whether designing biological controls, studying urban wildlife, or testing innovative growing systems, students are supported in pursuing research that aligns with their academic and professional goals.

For graduate students, the Field Station provides an additional space for study, mentorship, and interdisciplinary partnership opportunities. “Collaboration is one of the best things about scientific research,” said Sydney, who looks forward to connecting with specialists from other disciplines in the future. The Field Station’s proximity to campus makes regular involvement easy, and support from the Office of Research helps turn ideas into impactful studies.

If you are interested in visiting the KSU Field Station or have a question about it, please fill out the inquiry form on their website (https://www.kennesaw.edu/research/centers-facilities/ksu-field-station/contact.php)