The Conard Environmental Research Area, located eleven miles from the Grinnell College Campus, is a 365-acre field station used for class field trips, student and faculty research, and quiet enjoyment. CERA is an exceptional resource for engaging students in environmental inquiry, providing inspiration and raw materials for artistic expression, teachings students and community members of all ages about the history and character of our past, present, and future landscape, and serving as a model for land preservation and ecological restoration. CERA is open to the public for hiking, bird watching, photography, painting, drawing, and other facets of the study and enjoyment of nature.