Green Oaks Field Research Center

Green Oaks was originally composed of oak savannah, oak woodland and tall grass prairie, but beginning in the 1830’s the land was farmed and later strip mined. Acquired by Knox College in the late 1950’s from the Little John Coal Company and Alvah Green, the property now contains 700 acres of old growth forest, second growth forest and the second-oldest restored tall-grass prairie in North America. Several small ponds and a lake roughly 40 acres in size also add to the ecological variety of Green Oaks with their aquatic environments.

Green Oaks is often used for both research and recreation by Knox College students and faculty. One popular event is the prairie burn, an annual tradition for students and professors who are interested in restoring the tall-grass prairies.
Other activities include biological field trips, bird watching, hiking, fishing, canoeing and camping.
It is also the center for the Green Oaks Term during which students live with and are taught by Knox College faculty on the site.