About Iowa Lakeside Lab

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Professor Thomas H. Macbride and colleagues established Lakeside in 1909 as a private summer field station. It was one of the first in the United States. In 1936 Lakeside became a state institution, and today it is run cooperatively by Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa through the Iowa State Board of Regents. Throughout its history, Lakeside has been a place where college students "study nature in nature."

Lakeside's 147-acre campus is located on the west shore of West Okoboji Lake, occupying the entire shoreline of Little Miller’s Bay. The bay and adjacent uplands and wetlands are used as a natural classroom in Lakeside courses.

In 2006, Lakeside was designated as a Regents Resource Center for the people of Northwest Iowa.  In addition to its traditional mission, it now provides education and enrichment for people of all ages.