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About Us
The Central Michigan University Biological Station is a picturesque 32-mile ferry or airplane ride into northern Lake Michigan from Charlevoix, Michigan.
The island's exceptional Great Lakes basis freshwater ecosystems, natural habitat, and seven largely underdeveloped, biologically unique inland lakes provide an unmatched learning and research environment. The island's abundant and varied natural environments include cedar swamps, upland and lowland coniferous forest, beaver ponds sand dunes, and a great variety of other island plants and animals.
Facilities
CMU's 130-acre main research property includes the new state-of-the-art James C. Gillingham Academic Center. Completed in the summer of 2007, the center houses three teaching laboratories, a 120-seat lecture hall, computer laboratory and academic library. The entire academic center and most of the lakeside campus are equipped with wireless servers.
Research facilities are conveniently located adjacent to the academic center and contain six individual research laboratories. These laboratories contain a number of research tools and programs, including a permanent weather station near the research labs.
CMU also owns a 270-acre natural area known as Miller's Marsh and an 80-acre tract known as Egbert Farm. These sites facilitate a variety of biological station field courses and provide a highly diverse location for field trips, research studies and other activities.
Transportation
Ferry and air taxi services serve the Central Michigan University Biological Station and the Beaver Island Community.
The Beaver Island Boat Co. operates a ferry service between Charlevoix and Beaver Island. Adult passenger fare is $24 each way. Vehicles can be ferried to Beaver Island for $75 each way, depending on size. Reservations need to be made for car transport, but not for individuals. Bicycles may be transported at a cost of $9, each way. Generally, the ferry ride takes about 2.5 hours. Fares are subject to change.
For information and reservations, contact Beaver Island Boat Co.,
(231) 547-2311 or (888) 446-4095,
visit www.bibco.com
102 Bridge St. Charlevoix, MI 49720
There are two air taxi services that operate out of Charlevoix Airport.
ISLAND AIRWAYS (Charlevoix airport just south of the intersection of highways M-31 and M-66) serves Welke Airport on beaver Island. Fares, subject to change, are $84 one-way, taxes included. The flight to Beaver Island takes about 20 minutes. For reservations or more information call (800) 524-6895, or (231) 547-2141, or visit www.islandairways.com
FRESH AIR AVIATION, INC., (1520 Bridge St., directly across from the airport entrance) serves the Beaver Island Township Airport. Fare, subject to change, are $45 one-way or $89 round-trip. For reservations or more information call (888) 359-7448 or visit www.freshairaviation.net
Since flights are not made on a regular schedule, reservations should be made in advance. All transportation to and from the airport and ferry dock on the island will be provided by CMU. All scheduled class arrivals will be met automatically. Unexpected arrivals can call (231) 448-2325 for transportation.
