OSU Forestry Research Station

The Ouachita Mountains Biological Station, located in Mena, AR, has been a research and education center since 1962, offering a 600-acre natural area in the Ouachita Mountains. With an elevation range of 369 to 622 meters, the station boasts a mixed pine hardwood forest, dominated by tree species such as shortleaf pine, post oak, black oak, and sweetgum, along with a diverse understory of dogwood, American hornbeam, and winged elm. The area is also home to several endemic species of salamanders within a fifty-mile radius. Within the station, visitors can explore the rich biodiversity, including the presence of orchids such as the Cranefly Orchid and the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain. The station encourages researchers to conduct various biological research projects, ranging from studying the ecology of walking stick insects and trapdoor spiders to investigating the population dynamics of moles and the diversity of butterflies. With its diverse flora and fauna, the Ouachita Mountains Biological Station offers a unique opportunity for scientific exploration and education.Generated from the website