Abernathy Field Station

{{Short description|Outdoor ecology classroom}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Abernathy Field Station | iucn_category =  | image = Sampling_at_Abernathy_Field_Station.jpg | image_caption = Sampling at Abernarthy Field Station in 2010. <br />Photo courtesy of Jamie March.  | map = Pennsylvania | image_map = | map_width = | map_caption = Location of Abernathy Field Station in Pennsylvania | relief =  | location = [[Washington County, Pennsylvania|Washington]], Pennsylvania, United States | nearest_city = | nearest_town = | coordinates = {{coord|40|8|8.52|N|80|11|7.44|W|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref =  | length = | length_mi = | length_km = | width = | width_mi = | width_km = | area_acre = 57 | area_ref = | elevation = | elevation_avg = | elevation_min = | elevation_max = | dimensions = | designation =  | authorized = | created = | designated = | established = | named_for = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | visitation_ref = | governing_body = | administrator = | operator = [[Washington & Jefferson College]] | owner =  | website = | module = }} '''Abernathy Field Station''' is a {{convert|57|acre|m2|adj=on}} outdoor ecology classroom serving [[Washington & Jefferson College]] (W&J College).<ref name=afs />

The facility, located {{convert|5|mi|km}} southeast from the campus in [[Washington, Pennsylvania]], is home to several different [[ecosystem]]s, including [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests|mixed deciduous forest]], [[Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests|conifers]], several springseeps, two [[perennial stream]]s, [[wetland]]s, and a [[Meadow|mowed field]].<ref name=afs /><ref name=handbook /> These ecosystems support a diverse slate of wildlife, including [[birds]], [[salamanders]], [[fish]], [[mammal|small mammal]]s, [[white-tailed deer]], various [[insects]], and over 100 [[tree]]s.<ref name=afs>{{cite web |title=W&J: Abernathy Field Station |publisher=Washington & Jefferson College |url=http://www.washjeff.edu/biology-department/abernathy-field-station |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926001835/http://www.washjeff.edu/biology-department/abernathy-field-station |archive-date=2011-09-26 |access-date=2011-08-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The facility is equipped with a NexSens-brand real-time [[weather station]] and stream monitoring system to provide background data for research.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weather & Stream Monitoring - Abernathy Field Station |work=Nexsens |date=24 October 2008 |publisher=NexSens Technology, Inc. |url=http://www.nexsens.com/case_studies/stream_monitoring.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301140756/http://nexsens.com/case_studies/stream_monitoring.htm |archive-date=2012-03-01 |access-date=2011-08-24 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Abernathy Field Station is operated by W&J College, allowing faculty and students to study the structure and function of the ecosystems and wildlife in it through coursework and independent research projects.<ref name=afs /><ref name=handbook>{{cite web |title=III. ABERNATHY BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATION |work=Biology Majors’ Handbook 2010-2011 |publisher=Washington & Jefferson College |url=http://www.washjeff.edu/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/biologydepartment/biology/bio_major_handbook_2010-2011.pdf |page=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524010218/http://www.washjeff.edu/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/biologydepartment/biology/bio_major_handbook_2010-2011.pdf |archive-date=2012-05-24 |access-date=2011-08-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Students may not conduct research at the facility without faculty supervision.<ref name=handbook /> Access to the land has been provided to the college by Dr. Ernest and Janet Abernathy, and the college has committed itself to preserving the ecological integrity of the land while utilizing it as an outdoor classroom.<ref name=afs />

In 2008, W&J College received a $1 million grant from the [[Howard Hughes Medical Institute]] which would provide funding for long-term ecological monitoring at the Field Station.<ref>{{cite web|title=Students Turn High-Tech Tools on Forest Research Station |publisher=[[Howard Hughes Medical Institute]] |url=http://www.hhmi.org/news/popups/washingtonjefferson_pop.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331202952/http://www.hhmi.org/news/popups/washingtonjefferson_pop.html |archive-date=2010-03-31 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = W&J to receive $1 million | work = [[Observer-Reporter]] | place =Washington, Pennsylvania | publisher = Observer Publishing Company | date = 2008-06-06 | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WORB&p_action=search&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1212465D5F8F73D8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|access-date=2011-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Reid| first = Robert| title = W&J Receives $1 Million Grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute| work = W&J Magazine| publisher = Washington & Jefferson College| date = Fall 2008| url = http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/External_Relations/For_the_Media/Fall08Mag.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527155915/http://www.washjeff.edu/uploadedFiles/External_Relations/For_the_Media/Fall08Mag.pdf|archive-date=2010-05-27}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery> File:Eurycea bislineata - Abernathy Field Station.jpg|A [[Northern two-lined salamander]] (''[[Eurycea bislineata]]'') observed at the station in 2003 </gallery>

== References == {{Reflist|2}}

==External links==

{{commons category-inline}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140313143730/http://www.washjeff.edu/biology/abernathy-field-station Abernathy Field Station official website]

[[Category:Washington & Jefferson College]] [[Category:Nature centers in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Forest research institutes]] [[Category:University and college laboratories in the United States]] [[Category:Protected areas of Washington County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Ecological experiments]]