Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve

Prior to Euro-American settlement, the Baldwin Woods area encompassed about 3,700 acres of closed forest and open savanna. However, development of rural areas for agriculture and, in recent years, for suburban housing has greatly reduced the extent of native woodland. 

In 1980, a portion of the historic Baldwin Woods area was designated a National Natural Landmark in recognition of its importance to the cultural and ecological heritage of the U.S. The Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve protects a significant contiguous area within the designated landmark.

Scientific studies within the area are done with as little disturbance as possible so as not to damage the sensitive ecosystem. The KU Field Station preserves 396 contiguous acres of the Baldwin Woods ecosystem, in several tracts (Breidenthal, Rice, Wall, and the Forest Legacy Reserve acquired in 2015) in perpetuity.