Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve

The Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR)—formerly the Cedar Creek Natural History Area—is a renowned ecological research and education facility located in central Minnesota, approximately 35 miles north of the Twin Cities.  Cedar Creek is owned and operated by the University of Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Academy of Science.  Established in 1942, Cedar Creek encompasses 5,400 acres (2,200 ha.) of land comprised of a unique and diverse mosaic of forests, savannas, prairies, wetlands, and open water.  In 1982, Cedar Creek became a National Science Foundation supported Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site.  Researchers and educators at Cedar Creek explore topics of fundamental scientific interest, as well as those relevant to current environmental change, and strive to convey this knowledge to fellow scientists, citizens, and policymakers.  The overarching goal of research and education at Cedar Creek is to understand the fundamental processes and principles that govern the dynamics and functioning of ecosystems.