Archbold Biological Station and Private Preserve

Archbold Biological Station, established in 1941, is a not-for-profit independent research institution in central Florida. The Station is dedicated to long-term ecological research, part of the global effort to understand, interpret and preserve the world’s natural heritage. 

Staff, visiting investigators, and students conduct research primarily focused on the organisms and environments of Lake Wales Ridge and adjacent central Florida. Archbold is used heavily for education including research training for graduates and undergraduates from around the world, use by visiting college classes, extensive K-12 education, and public outreach.

Archbold Biological Station and the Archbold Reserve together comprise an 8,840-acre globally significant preserve and one of the most distinctive natural habitats in the United States. The Station is a series of relict sandy dunes, including xeromorphic scrubs, flatwoods and the 90-acre Lake Annie. Neighboring state-owned lands and private conservation easements mean that the Station lies within a protected area network totaling 16,200 acres. 

This region supports many of the rarest species in North America. Archbold is host to 19 federally listed species and is regarded as critical for the long-term global viability of numerous endemic scrub species. The Archbold Collection with over 230,000 biological specimens of plant, arthropod, bird, mammal, herptile and fish is an important regional collection emphasizing species from the scrub habitats of the Station and the Lake Wales Ridge. 

Richard Archbold, the colorful aviator-explorer, founded the Station in 1941. After more than a decade of exploration in Madagascar and New Guinea, Archbold obtained the original 1,000-acre "Red Hill" Estate as a gift from John A. Roebling, II, grandson of the Brooklyn Bridge designer. Early research was dominated by botanical and entomological explorations, and many scientists developed long-term projects that became milestones in their fields.

 The Station grew substantially during the 1970s and 80s, adding important new property and other vital research equipment. In 1986, with National Science Foundation support, an Annex was added to the Main Building to house research collections, lab and computer space, and an auditorium.

Visitors are welcome, although visitor facilities are somewhat limited.  All visitors should register at the Main Office  M-F 8-5, Weekend visitors should register at the Information kiosk at the north end of the Plaza.  Pictorial exhibits about the Station and its history are in the Auditorium, available M-F 8-5.

"Islands in Time," a 19-minute video about the biodiversity and conservation of the Lake Wales Ridge, is available in the Lounge adjacent to the Main Office, M-F  from 8-5. A half-mile Nature Trail, emphasizes plant identification and scrub ecology. Picnic tables are at the north end of the Plaza. Pets are not permitted.   

Archbold Biological Station 123 Main Dr. Venus, Fl, 33960