Research & Academics

student researchers outsideFor fifty years research by Williams faculty, visiting scientists and students in such disciplines as biology, chemistry, environmental science, and geosciences has taken advantage of several unique aspects of Hopkins Forest: ease of access; variety of habitats and terrain; on-site wet and dry laboratories; web-served real-time meteorological data and long-term records of vegetation change and land-use; long-term hydrology, meteorology and water chemistry datasets; and specialized research structures such as the canopy walkway (for more information on our facilities, see our Research Facilities page). Persons interested in undertaking research or environmental monitoring in Hopkins Forest should submit a Research Proposal Form.

In addition to research, Hopkins Memorial Forest has provided a foundation for undergraduate educational opportunities at Williams College, other institutions of higher learning, local schools, and for the public of the region. The primary mission of the HMF is to sustain and enhance these research and education opportunities, and to that end, we strongly encourage disciplinary and interdisciplinary teaching, scholarly activity, and experimental research in HMF. In order to enhance the educational and research uses of the Forest and to minimize potential conflicts, we ask that groups, organizations, and individuals intending to use the HMF coordinate their activities in advance with the Forest Manager. Additionally, interested school groups should reach out to discuss HMF’s field trip programming.