Phil Blair captures students’ attention when he talks about how the geology of the campus developed.

Friends of the Soldiers Home helped link the American history of the veterans’ campus with its natural history. After students from Michigan State University and Mississippi State University toured President Lincoln’s Cottage on Saturday, Friends arranged a walk for them with naturalists Mary Pat Rowan and Philip Blair. The students were able to explore geologic, aquatic and woodland features of the site as part of their coursework on “Elements of Federal Policy Development in the Natural Resources Arena.” Mary Pat and Phil lead similar naturalist tours for the Friends as part of the Spring Fling celebration each May. Friends would like to thank veterans of the Home for opening their space for this wonderful educational endeavor. We also thank the students’ instructor, Executive in Residence Mark Rey, for making this historic and important campus a part of the students’ study.

Photos by Isabelle Hughes.

Students learned about the ancient, underground Tiber River on campus and previous efforts to channel waterflows.

Mary Pat Rowan gestures to surrounding trees as she talks about the property as an example of a healthy upland forest.