“One of Less Than Six in the Entire Country”

For years, Rock Hill and a box elder (fondly dubbed the "Learning Tree") were gathering areas for classes in concentrations such as biology, ecology, geology, and outdoor education. But these spaces could provide no shelter or storage areas.   In 2005, Pastor and Ken Gilbertson proposed to Chancellor Kathryn Martin an outdoor pavilion classroom; this summer, the proposal is becoming a reality.

The Bagley Nature Area Classroom Pavilion, designed by Salmela Architects, will be a positive energy building. Over the course of a year, a solar panel will supply as much or more electricity as the building uses. The super energy efficient building envelope is also designed to take advantage of passive solar heating in winter months, and will seek LEED certification.

This picture, taken mid-August from the lookout on Rock Hill, shows the building nestled in the Bagley trees. 

John Pastor, UMD Biology Professor, uses the outdoor space in two of his classes: graduate level Ecosystems Ecology, and undergrad level Biology Illustration. He predicts having the Bagley classroom will expand the University's academic use of Bagley, inspiring faculty members to use Bagley in ways not possible before. 

Pastor states, "The building will allow us to do a lot; other faculty members are thinking of ways to use it too." 

Tim Bates, Associate Director of Recreational Sports Outdoor Program (RSOP) and member of the Bagley Management Committee, has an extensive knowledge of Bagley. "I first used Bagley during my undergrad days at UMD," Bates recalled. Today, he explores Bagley with students in his undergraduate classes Outdoor Educational Methods and Field Interpretive Techniques, which are held almost exclusively on site at Bagley.

"RSOP also uses the area for a many activities, from hiking to cross-country skiing to making maple syrup," Bates added.² Basic equipment, such as microscopes and waders for science classes, will be stored in the building for on-site classroom analysis.

The value of the Bagley site to the UMD campus and community cannot be emphasized enough. Pastor notes, "Very few campuses have [55] acres of such variety of ecosystems and old growth timber, with a stream running through the middle. We are one of less than six in the entire country with this size of outdoor lab on campus."¹

Over past half-century countless numbers of people have fallen in love with Bagley Nature Area and have substantial interest in ensuring the integrity of the nature center is kept intact. Taking into consideration the new outdoor classroom's environmental footprint will reflect that commitment.

It won't be long before the construction equipment is loaded off the site and the hammer is done ringing; but with the commitment UMD has shown to keeping Bagley a pristine retreat, wildlife will be calling this area home for years to come.

Keep tabs on the construction's progress through the construction cam. For more information and historical documentation about Bagley Nature Area, check out RSOP's Bagley website.

¹ Pastor, John. Professor, UMD Biology. Personal interview. 22 July 2009.

2 Bates, Tim. Community Program Specialist, Recreational Sports Outdoor Program. Personal Interview. 24 July 2009.

This is the fifth entry in a mini-series featuring LEED at UMD. The next installment will explore the new Civil Engineering building currently under construction on campus, and expected to open in Winter 2010.