Bull Shoals Lake view from BSFSBull Shoals Field Station  

      - A center for learning and research in an outdoor setting        

Missouri State University

BSFS is
affiliated with
 Organization of Biological Field Station's Logo
 TEMS

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  Webmaster:
Celeste Prussia
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Bull Shoals Field Station Headquarters
User's Guide  
sunset over Bull Shoals LakeGuidelines

The field station is operating through a cooperative agreement between Missouri State University, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).  The ACE owns the land we occupy and MDC has provided us access to 6,000 acres of land at the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area.  Be courteous to everyone you encounter as you represent Missouri State.

  • User permission  All who wish to use the station should request permission from the BSFS Director.  Undergraduates may use the station only when accompanied by a faculty member or a graduate student, who has already been granted station privileges. Following discussion of these guidelines, users will be issued the combination to the gate lock. The combination should not be passed along to anyone else. Users are expected to follow all the policies listed below; serious or persistent abusers will have their privileges revoked.  Each user is required to sign a waiver form.
  • MDC collection permits  Anyone wishing to trap, capture and release, kill, or collect plants or animals in the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area must possess a Wildlife Collector’s Permit, which may be obtained by writing to Missouri Department of Conservation, Attn. Fiscal Services, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0180.
  • Teaching  Instructors of classes and workshops at the station should schedule their trip through the BSFS Director or Manager at least a week (preferably a month) in advance. Please also provide information on class size and nature of activities. Instructors should provide their students a copy of this guide (or the URL of the website) and deliver signed waiver forms for all participants to the Director no later than three days before the trip.
  • Research  Researchers should provide the Director a title and abstract of the study as much in advance as possible, since all projects require approval by the Missouri Department of Conservation or the Army Corps of Engineers.  Include information on study site locations and approximate schedule.  Copies of proposals, theses, reports, and publications are also requested for the purposes of documenting field station usage. The publications will be available to any user through the field station office and abstracts will be posted through our web site.
  • Keep the gate locked  The entire Drury Conservation Area is restricted access. After driving through the gate, immediately close and lock it. No exceptions!  The speed limit is 20 miles per hour and drivers are encouraged to drive slowly as they overtake walkers and not raise more dust than necessary.
  • Personal safety  Since the facility is in a primitive area, users must make a special effort to think about personal safety.  Follow these tips below and see also the section on Safety precautions.
    • Let other people know when and where you are going out and when to expect you back. Include an e-mail message to the BSFS Manager CelestePrussia’at’MissouriState.edu.
    • Use the buddy system. Choose someone whose judgment you trust and watch out for each other.
    • Overnight visits are more restrictive than day trips. Faculty should make students aware that, if they are not entirely comfortable with the social arrangements, they should feel free to discuss the matter with faculty in charge of the trip or with the Director.
    • Use caution when swimming or boating. All users must wear a PFD or life jacket in boats and let others know if you are not a strong swimmer.
    • Use caution when handling unknown plants and animals.  Ticks and chiggers are sometimes quite abundant near the field station. See details below in the “Special Safety Concerns” section.
    • Dress for the weather and bring extra layers in case of changing conditions.
    • During warm weather, drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Watch your buddy for signs of heat illnesses. See details in Safety precautions.
    • Alcohol consumption is not allowed on Missouri State property, and this includes the Field Station as well as the BSFS truck and boats.
  • Keep it clean  Pick up all your trash, including cigarette butts.  Carry away your own trash and put fresh trash bags in cans. As necessary, pick up after each other. This is your station, so keep it looking nice. Report any problems to the faculty in charge or to the Director.