Over the past 25 years, the Center for Aquatic Ecology has played an active role in the education of young scientists through its affiliation with colleges and universities and its support of student interns. Over 525 interns from a variety of institutions have participated directly in the programs and missions of the Survey.

The Intern Program offers hands-on experience in "real world" situations, which supplement and complement course work. Through their involvement in field work, sample processing and data analysis, students gain experience and develop skills in ecological research. It also provides students the practical experience necessary to make educational and career choices and to better compete in the job market following graduation.

Undergraduate students generally enroll in a special topics course or independent study at their college or university. At the Survey, they are assigned to a specific laboratory or field station (usually of their choice), work for a predetermined period of time (usually 3 months), and receive academic credit upon successful completion of the internship. In addition, interns may receive a small stipend.

The student and college or university is responsible for credit and fee arrangements. Interns are responsible for travel and housing, although housing may be available at some field stations upon inquiry.

The Center for Aquatic Ecology

Illinois has an abundance of water. Within the boundaries of the State, there are portions of six major river systems, including the Mississippi, part of Lake Michigan, reservoirs, natural lakes, farm ponds and navigation impoundments--well over 2,000 square miles of water.

Studies of the aquatic resources of the state are firmly established in the Survey's history. Stephen A. Forbes, the first chief of the Survey, initiated research on the Illinois River in 1876; he also established the first inland aquatic biological station in the U. S., on the Illinois River near Havana, IL, in 1894. Six additional field stations have been established since then.

The Center for Aquatic Ecology is made up of a diverse group of scientists conducting research in the broad area of aquatic ecology. Research is currently underway on the Great Lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Study organisms include: plants, bacteria, plankton, macroinvertebrates, fish, and wildlife. Research is conducted at the individual, community, and ecosystem levels. Areas of interest include: genetics, microbiology, botany, community ecology, biometrics, ecological modeling, toxicology, water quality, landscape ecology, restoration ecology, exotic species, conservation biology, and natural resource management.

Research Facilities

Champaign Headquarters
(217) 333-6897

The Center for Aquatic Ecology is centered at the Natural Resources Studies Annex on the University of Illinois campus at Urbana-Champaign. Facilities include: the Survey and campus libraries, numerous laboratories, offices, computers including geographic information processing, state-of-the-art analytical equipment, research ponds, and greenhouses.

Housing is abundant in the campus area.

Lake Michigan Biological Station
(847) 872-8677

The Lake Michigan Biological Station is located near Lake Michigan in Zion, IL. Current research efforts focus on zebra mussels and other exotic species, lake trout, yellow perch, plankton, and Great Lakes fisheries management. Facilities include boats, wet lab and analytical lab, hatchery, sampling equipment, and an underwater video.

Housing is not provided by the Survey but is available in Zion and the station is within commuting distance from Chicago and the suburbs.

River Research Laboratory
(309) 543-3950

The River Research Laboratory of the Forbes Biological Station is located on Lake Chatauqua, a 4,200 acre floodplain lake of the Illinois River near Havana, IL. The research focus is on large river-floodplain ecosystems; ecology, restoration, toxicology, ecological modeling and management. Facilities include newly remodeled offices, a wet lab, and an extensive reprint library and catalogue system.

Housing is not available from the Survey but there are opportunities for housing locally.

Long Term Resource Monitoring
Field Stations
Havana, IL (309) 543-6000
Alton, IL (618) 466-9690

Two field stations cooperate with the five States of the Upper Mississippi River System, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers making long-term measurements of water quality and plant and animal populations in the channels, backwaters and floodplains of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The stations also assess on-going habitat restoration projects. Objectives include analyzing upstream-downstream and year-to-year trends, determining the causes of the trends, and recommending ways to maintain and restore the natural resources of the rivers. Research is closely affiliated with that of the River Research Laboratory.

One station is located on the Illinois River, near the Forbes Station. The second station is located in Alton, IL. Each field station has office and laboratory space, numerous boats, analytical equipment, and computers.

Housing is available locally near the Havana Station. Housing is plentiful near the Alton Field Station because of its close proximity to St. Louis.

Kaskaskia Biological Station
(217) 728-4851

The Kaskaskia Biological Station is located on Lake Shelbyville near Sullivan, IL. Research is conducted on Lake Shelbyville and throughout the State. The Ridge Lake and Sam Parr Biological Stations are under the same direction and have similar research activities. Research is directed towards application of ecological concepts to fisheries management. Emphasis is on community ecology, predator-prey interactions, behavioral ecology, bioenergetics, and bioeconomic modeling. Species studied include muskellunge, crappie, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, and gizzard shad.

Facilities include a complete wet lab (3,000 sq. ft.) with environmental control, analytical equipment, numerous boats, and computers.

Housing is available on site.

Ridge Lake Biological Station
(217) 345-6490

The Ridge Lake Biological Station is located in Fox Ridge State Park near Charleston, IL. The lake is unique in that it has a total creel during open fishing seasons.

Facilities include a lab, office, computers, and kitchen space.

Housing is available on site.

Sam Parr Biological Station
(618) 245-6348

The Sam Parr Biological Station is located by Forbes Lake near Kimundy, IL. The station has 27 experimental ponds available for research activities.

Other facilities include wet and dry labs, offices, computers, and boats.

Housing is available on site.

For more information, please write to:

The Intern Program
Center for Aquatic Ecology
Illinois Natural History Survey
172 Natural Resources Bldg.
607 E. Peabody Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820