Students study in NMU's Outdoor Learning Area (OLA), tucked behing the west side of campus
By Maggie Anderson
Tucked behind the west side of campus, NMU’s Outdoor Learning Area (OLA) offers a remarkable blend of education, ecology and tranquility. For more than 25 years, the Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences Department has maintained the Native Plant Park. New additions such as the GeoPark and EcoPark serve as both a hands-on classroom and a thriving habitat for local wildlife.
Originally established when the Woods Residence Halls were constructed, the OLA has grown into a vibrant ecosystem that reflects the natural diversity of the Upper Peninsula. Its ponds and forests filter runoff and melted snow, helping keep Lake Superior clean, while also providing dens for foxes and a sanctuary for countless bird species.
The Native Plant Park serves as a microcosm of the Northwoods, featuring native pines, oaks, and wildflowers that support pollinators and preserve local biodiversity. Visitors can experience the area’s rich ecological tapestry while learning about the importance of maintaining a healthy and functioning ecosystem.
Next to it, the GeoPark offers a window into the region’s geological story. Large boulders, labeled with interpretive signs, showcase the types and ages of local rock formations. Additional signage provides plant names in Anishinaabe, English and Braille, reflecting NMU’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural diversity.
One of the corners of the Outdoor Learning Area is the fire site maintained by the Center for Native American Studies. Nestled in the red pine forest near Whitman Hall, it offers a dedicated ceremonial space, complete with benches oriented to the four directions, and a pavilion built this year by construction management students for pow wows, smudging, and other traditional gatherings.
It stands as a testament to NMU’s growing recognition that environmental sustainability and cultural sustainability go hand in hand. The fire site invites reflection, ritual, and the honoring of Indigenous histories that are deeply tied to the land.
The OLA is not just a scenic escape; it’s an active research site. Students in biology, geography and recreation management regularly conduct fieldwork here. From monitoring chickadee nesting to completing capstone projects in GeoPark gardens, NMU students gain valuable, hands-on experience that bridges classroom theory with real-world application.
In 2024, the addition of a Sensory Garden further expanded the OLA’s mission. Designed to engage all five senses, the garden invites visitors to explore the sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes of native flora. It’s a place to ease your mind, reconnect with nature and reflect.
Visitors often describe leaving the OLA with a deeper sense of peace, inspiration and appreciation for the environment around them. Through its living classrooms, NMU continues its commitment to sustainability, environmental education and community engagement, ensuring that future generations can both learn from and care for the land that surrounds them.
Map of outdoor learning areas on NMU's campus
Student admires the native flora in NMU's Sensory Garden
NMU Construction Management students stand outside the Outdoor Learning Area occupied by the fire site maintained by the Center for Native American Studies.
Pollinator Overwintering Hotels are scattered thought the OLA and campus The Center for Native American Studies holds classes and special events at their fire site.