Ecology Resources
Case Western Reserve University—Squire Valleevue Farm
37125 Fairmount Boulevard
Hunting Valley, OH 44022Mission: The main goal of Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms is to enhance and complement the University's mission of education, research and community services through its unique natural settings, historical and cultural features. The Farm also supports and enhances additional University community activities including athletics and recreational events.
Accessibility: The farm is open to Case Western Reserve University students through various science classes including ecology, biology, and geology. Case students, faculty, and alumni also have access to the grounds for private venues at no cost. Through arrangements with the management, access can be obtained for school groups and other parties.
Admission Price: n/a. Prices for renting out the grounds vary.
Exhibits: Because it is not a museum per se, no true “exhibits” exist. However, some features that highlight the university farm are the Bluebird Trail, the Interpretive Trail, the Research Ponds, and the Salamander Lagoon. In particular, the four research ponds allow students to study areas such as energy and nutrient flow as well as fish behavior and planktonic distribution.
“Behind the scenes” Efforts:
- Research: Dr. Drewa is studying interactive effects of disturbance, topography, and soil characteristics on plant populations and communities in the context of beech-maple forests at the Farm. Dr. Saylor is currently studying geology and uses the farm for storage and analysis. Dr. Koonce, and several other scientists use the farm as a base for fish habitat studies of the Chagrin and Grand River watersheds. Dr. Willis is currently using the farm as a base for his research on moth flight patterns. The farm is also home to an egg-fertilizing unit that ships fertilized eggs and chicks to universities and other research institutes.
- Conservation: The farm recently created the bluebird trail, which includes 14 nesting stations for birds. In 2002 the farm started a salamander lagoon in the North Woods to increase the salamander population in the area as well.
Additional resources for ecology: The farm is the subject of many publications, including those about watersheds, oil fields, and local fish. The website also keeps an up to date news publication which highlights main events on the farm.
Events/Classes/activities related to ecology: The farm is host to many undergraduate and graduate courses, supplied by Case Western Reserve University. It is also the home to a summer study program, school visits, and non-credit courses.
Volunteer Opportunities: none.
Prepared by Group 9