This Academic Research Facilities Modernization Program (ARFMP) award from the Research Facilities Office provides funds to Earlham College for the renovation and repair of three facilities of the Biology Department that are devoted to field biology research: the field laboratory, the greenhouse, and part of the natural history museum, which is located in Dennis Hall. The field laboratory and the greenhouse were constructed in 1968 and the museum laboratory in 1953. None of these buildings have been renovated since their construction. The ARFMP grant of $129,000 and $168,786 provided by the grantee as cost sharing will be used to modernize these research and research training facilities. This project will address the need to improve the current infrastructure by providing (a) the field laboratory with room size and bench space enabling experiments and materials to remain set up for longer periods of time and with better climate control permitting its year round use; (b) the greenhouse with better climate control such that the plant and animal research in it will be less vulnerable to temperature extremes; and (c) the museum research laboratory with structurally sound, dry space, thereby relieving some of the pressure that has been displaced to the field laboratory because of the inadequacy of the museum research laboratory space. This award contributes to the infrastructure of science by providing an improved environment for the conduct of research and for the training of quality undergraduate students. The Biology Department at Earlham College is nationally recognized for its excellence and as an important contributor to the human resources pipeline in the biological sciences. For many years research, particularly field-oriented research, has been a integral part of its curriculum. These renovations will help the department to maintain its productivity.
