FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
March 25 and 26 were exciting days for fourth-graders at Comanche Elementary School.
They spent those days along the Colorado River as they got safely up close and personal with the flora and fauna of Tarleton State University’s Timberlake Biological Field Station, making plant presses, learning about the various plant species and studying quail populations using the scientific method.
The field station, in Mills County near Goldthwaite, welcomed the students for an adventure of hands-on science in a natural setting and a picnic at the on-site pavilion.
Fourth-grade science teacher Dixie Mayer organized the event with help from Principal Curtis Stahnke, other Comanche ISD teachers and Dr. Allan Nelson from Tarleton. Parents and two Master Naturalist volunteers, Steve and Donna Clark, assisted with the activities.
The field station is on property donated by Dr. Lamar Johanson and his wife, Marilyn. Tarleton’s Dr. Chris Higgins, a biological sciences associate professor, directs the station. The property is used not only for research but for field trips and classes of college and public school students.
The tract represents the ecological transition between the Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau regions of Central Texas. This “east meets west” area supports a unique mix of species for study in research and classroom-related endeavors. It also is known for outdoor recreation such as bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking and kayaking.
The field station was created to promote education and research while emphasizing the ecological character of the Colorado River Basin and the diversity of the Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau ecoregions. Tarleton’s vision is that respected professionals conducting scientific investigations will help restore the hydrogeology and ecological integrity of the river to its past splendor.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
Contact: Phil Riddle, News and Information Specialist
817-484-4415
priddle@tarleton.edu
