The University of Texas at Austin (UT) has announced a $50 million donation from the Winn Family Foundation in support of the creation of a new UT field station for research of biodiversity and natural resources.

The gift will support the long-term operations of the Texas Field Station Network, as well as related biological and environmental research, educational programs, and public outreach. The field station’s long-term monitoring will help landowners and policy makers better understand how changes in climate, species, and development affect the land, water, and other natural resources.

In 2022, 149 experts from 47 countries published a letter in Nature calling for greater attention to the importance of biological field stations, describing them as “effective but imperiled and overlooked” sites for promoting biodiversity conservation and for monitoring progress on climate-related commitments. When the new Hill Country Field Station is complete, the university’s network will have at least seven sites where researchers from the life sciences, geosciences, architecture, and engineering departments can build knowledge to advance conservation, restoration, and resource management. 

“UT’s top-ranked natural sciences and geosciences programs have deep roots in the study of our planet and its vital natural resources through leading research and discovery,” said UT president Jay Hartzell. “With the incredible generosity of Steve and Melinda Winn, our researchers have established a network of research sites where experts can capture data, understand, and forecast trends and work to preserve biodiversity and natural resources. Generations of Texans will benefit from UT’s new bold research pursuits and from insights available only through our unique constellation of living laboratories.” 

(Photo credit: The University of Texas at Austin)