springtime waterfall on a wall of Lusk Creek Canyon ... where views 
markedly contrasting vegetation types can be seen ... xeric woodland 
th prickly-pear cactus above the canyon wall, and the mesic forest 
xt to the stream below. 
— 
The administration at Southern Illinois University was alerted to the 
entific, cultural, and educational significance of Lusk Creek. Funding was 
vided to make possible a crash program of investigations to clarify its 
portance to the role of the University in southern Illinois on a time 
edule which would not interfere with Forest Service plans. Seven 
ulty members in the botany, business, geology, and zoology depart- 
mts, and over 25 students have participated to date in studies at Lusk 
eek, including graduate theses and published articles. Faculty and stu- 
nts from school in several states have utilized the facilities of this 
eplaceable outdoor laboratory. The University purchased 170 acres with 
louse and other buildings to facilitate these studies. The findings to date 
ve greatly strengthened the realization of the scientific worth of this 
al ecosystem. 
