The following areas are of importance to biologists because of their value in teaching and research programs.  If any constructions, destructions, or changes are contemplated for any of them by the Steering Committee, the Biological Division should be notified so they may present their side of the case.

1. The Lake Mendota shore, from the point at Tripp Dormitory east to parking lot #8.

2. The land near the lake shore at the Willows Beach area, from parking lot #37 to University Creek Bridge.

3. University Bay and its shores.

4. The Lake Mendota shore on the north side of Picnic Point.

5. Bascom Woods, from the eastern edge of Muir Knoll to the east drive of Elizabeth Waters Hall, and from a line 10’ north of the Carillon Tower and parallel to Bascom Hall north to the lake shore, exclusive of parking lot #8.

6. The hill slope north of Observatory Drive, west of Elizabeth Waters Hall, east of the Refectory, and south of parking lot #34.

7. The hill top east of Observatory Hill Office Building and south of Elizabeth Waters Hall.

8. The woods at the north end of the base of Picnic Point.

9. The woods at the south end of the base of Picnic Point.

10. The marsh on Picnic Point.

11. Eagle Heights Woods.

The exact location of these areas is shown on the accompanying map [omitted].  It is assumed that the remainder of the campus not specified above is not in the inreplaceable [sic] category.  An exception is made in the case of a few trees, such as the giant bur oak on Observatory Hill.  A special list of the trees will be made in the future.

These “sensitive” areas are places of value for biological teaching and research.  Some are more important and useful than others, but all are desirable for biological purposes.  The following statements indicate the reasons why each area is needed.  More complete documentation can be provided whenever needed.

1. The Lake Mendota shore.  This area is widely used by many classes in Zoology and Botany and is a source of demonstration material for several other classes.  It also provides material and opportunity for a variety of research projects in lake biology.  All of these uses have been described many times in the past.  The specific area involved includes the land from the edge of the road out into the shallow water of the lake.  It thus takes in the trees and shrubs on the land as well as the rocks in the water.

2. The Willows Beach area.  This region is used by classes in Field Zoology and Ornithology.  Primary interest attaches to the trees and shrubs in a belt near the shore, which are particularly valuable for bird study.  The proposed relocation of the roadway would improve the area for biological purposes.

3. University Bay.  Many statements have been submitted in the past by biological groups concerning the scientific value of University Bay.  It is used for teaching and research in Zoology, Botany, Wildlife Management, and Meteorology and has been the site of a number of doctoral research problems in past years.  It also has great importance as a breeding ground for fish.  These manifest values are so great as to far outweigh any other use for the area.

4. The Lake Mendota Shore at Picnic Point.  This area is used primarily for research rather than teaching.  The present recreational uses of Picnic Point are not incompatible with the biological use.

5. Bascom Woods.  The great biological values of this area have recently been documented fully.  It can be classed with Area Nos. 1 and 3 as being absolutely essential for the continued efficient functioning of research and teaching in biology on this campus.

6. Hill north of Observatory.  The area is used by classes in ILS, Field Zoology, Ornithology, Entomology, and Landscape Architecture.  As long as it is not needed for buildings, it should be left as is, with a shrub and tree cover, rather than an open lawn.

7. Hilltop south of Elizabeth Waters.  This landscaped area has a wide variety of tree species and is used by classes in Ornithology, Dendrology, Landscape Architecture, ILS, and Elementary Botany.  Any constructions which would cause the removal of these trees would be detrimental.

8. Woods on Picnic Point and Eagle Heights.  These three sites represent long-protected stands of hardwood forest on three very different exposures.  As such they are of great use in research in field ecology, both biological and zoological.  The main point in their protection is that they be guarded against tree-cutting of any sort or for any reason.  Such forest stands are  becoming rare and should not be used for the harvest of forest products.

9. Picnic Point Marsh.  This area is used in the same manner as Area No. 4 and is similarly compatible with present recreational uses of the surrounding land.

Submitted by the Biological Division Committee on Natural Areas on the Campus

                             J.T. Emlen

                             G.W. Longenecker

                             L.E. Noland

                             J.T. Curtis, Chairman

August 16, 1955