The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

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The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) is a private, non-profit corporation. Since 1928 it has provided facilities for research and education in the biological sciences.

For additional information, see the RMBL Director's home page.

ACCESS

17 km north of Crested Butte, which is at the end of Highway 135 north from Gunnison, Gunnison County, Colorado.

ENVIRONMENT

RMBL occupies the old ghost town of Gothic, at 2,900 m (9,500) ft. elevation in the Elk Mountains of south-central Colorado. The winter climate is severe, and access then is only by skis. Even in summer nightly temperatures drop below 0o C. Of the 85 ha owned by RMBL approximately half is coniferous forest, wherein the dominant tree species are Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Remaining habitats include aspen groves, open alpine meadow, rocky streams, and alpine willow. Additional land is available for study through research agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and private landowners. Surrounding Gothic are the Gunnison National Forest, the Elk Mountains Wilderness Area, and the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. Within driving distance are semi-arid grasslands, sagebrush steppes, pinyon-juniper woodlands, scrub oak forests, large stands of lodgepole pine, tundra grasslands, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.

FACILITIES

RMBL can house a maximum of 160 persons, in cabins that range from very rustic to modern and include some historic buildings from mining days. Laboratory spaces are available for rent. A large dining hall seats as many as 100 persons for three meals per day, with vegetarian alternatives available. The RMBL Computer Center has several IBM PC-compatible machines, with a variety of software. The John C. Johnson Library provides reference support for researchers and students, and the libraries of Gunnison County and Western State College are only 40 minutes away.

RESEARCH

About 80 researchers are in residence each summer, conducting a variety of projects. Examples include: avian and mammalian adaptations to high elevation; animal behavior; plant-pollinator interactions; butterfly population ecology; stream ecology; acid precipitation; stressed ecosystems; flowering phenology of alpine wildflowers; and insect predator-prey systems. Many research projects are of twenty to thirty years' duration. Additionally, RMBL staff maintain a weather station, and data bases that describe plant and animal populations, physical and ecological features of the environment, and previous research projects. Interested researchers must provide their own funding and grants can be run through RMBL if desired.

EDUCATION

Each summer visiting faculty teach at least five upper-division undergraduate courses, oriented toward field biology. Examples of classes offered include: Field Entomology; Rocky Mountain Flora; Mammalogy; Ornithology; Rocky Mountain Field Biology; undergraduate or graduate students in independent research projects, for academic credit. Scholarships are available for deserving students. Academic credits are granted by RMBL, which is designated 'AG' in Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Institutions. Facilities are also available to the public for field trips, conventions, informal education programs, programs, and public events. Persons interested in teaching at RMBL should contact the Director. The principal means of support for RMBL is income from charges for facilities (station fees, lab rentals, housing and meals) and from membership dues. Additional support comes from grants, gifts and endowment income.

CONTACT

Director. P. O. Box 519, Crested Butte, CO 81224. Phone & Fax (970) 349-7231; E-mail: rmbl@gunnison.com

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1997 Summer Session

The 1997 Regular Summer Session begins on Sunday 15 June and the last finals are Thursday 7 August. There is a maximum of 14 students per class. Each year 35 students are accepted into the regular session, from a normal applicant pool of more than 100. Successful applicants are those who exhibit a strong desire for a summer field experience, and who are normally performing well in their classes. Most students have had at least one year of college biology, and additional ecology and statistics classes. Students who already have an undergraduate degree are welcome to apply. Recommendations and the essay count heavily in evaluating applications.

The early admission deadline is 1 February. After that, admission decisions are usually made within two weeks of completion of the application, so it is advantageous to apply early. Often classes are full with a waiting list before the final deadline of 1 April.

Cost of the regular session is $2,400 for tuition, room and board for eight semester hours. Fees are due the day of arrival at RMBL.

Students in the regular session mus enroll for eight units (normally two classes) unless they have another job at the RMBL. Students are expected to live at the RMBL unless they are currently residents of a nearby town. Credits issued by the RMBL are normally accepted at colleges and universities in the U.S., but students should check with their school before arriving to be sure this is true.

The RMBL is a private, independent field station, unaffiliated with any university. If there is any reluctance to accept RMBL credits, students have the option of receiving credits from Western State College in Gunnison. There is an additional fee per unit, and arrangements must be made before the session begins. You will not be able to receive WSC credit after the summer session ends. Note that students already enrolled at WSC do not have to take this additional step. Financial aid is available for the regular course session only. There are five full scholarships, and several partial ones. A financial aid form is included in the application packet. Residents of Colorado are eligible for a 50% tuition discount. A form will be sent to determine residency if you indicate you may be eligible.

Housing:

Students live in shared cabins and eat in the Dining Hall. Cabins offer little privacy and spartan furnishings, with electricity, wood stove heat, and an outhouse nearby. The central washhouse has showers, flush toilets and washing machines. Pets of any kind are prohibited at RMBL.

Other Academic Activities:

Two to four seminars are presented each week by resident researchers or visiting scientists. Students are encouraged to attend these programs and to become acquainted with the diversity of research projects conducted by RMBL biologists. pretty picture here

Recreation:

An integral part of the RMBL experience is the beautiful mountain environment. There is an emphasis on outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, camping, birding, mountain biking, volleyball), along with numerous organized and informal indoor activities, such as folk dancing and dance parties.

Town:

Grocery stores, churches, restaurants, stores, post office, banks and other resources are available in the nearby towns of Mt. Crested Butte (6 km) and Crested Butte (13 km).

Medical Care:

Emergency medical service is available from qualified physicians at the RMBL. There is a medical clinic in Mt. Crested Butte and a full-service hospital in Gunnison.

Thanks for visiting the RMBL page!

This page is maintained by RMBL Staff; last modified on 22 November 1996. Questions or comments should be directed to:
Sonda E. Donovan (rmbl@gunnison.com)

For additional information, see the RMBL Director's home page.

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