New field station under construction will significantly boost research opportunities and academic collaboration at Tait Preserve

Rochester, New York – The Rochester Institute of Technology is preparing to take a major step forward in hands-on education and environmental research with the construction of a new field station at the Tait Preserve. The $2.1 million project, already underway, is expected to be completed by next fall, adding a flexible new facility that will serve students, faculty, and researchers across disciplines.

The one-story station will house a classroom and laboratory space, along with a garage for light maintenance and equipment storage. By bringing these resources directly onto the preserve, the university aims to eliminate the constant back-and-forth that researchers have faced between the site and the Henrietta campus.

“The building has been designed with input from the academic groups to be flexible,” explained David Brault, director of Tait Preserve. “It’s not exclusive to one group or college, it’s really for all the academic units.”

A Growing Hub for Research

Since RIT acquired the 177-acre property in 2019, the Tait Preserve has steadily evolved from its past life as a sand quarry into a vibrant hub of scientific research, community programming, and agricultural production. Managed through University Arenas in the Division of Finance and Administration, the preserve has quickly become a place where students and faculty can test bold ideas in real-world conditions.

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Current projects include the use of Limnocorrals to investigate how microplastics break down in freshwater systems, the deployment and testing of underwater remote operated vehicles, and data collection through advanced digital imaging and remote sensing. Having a dedicated field station will allow these projects to expand in scope and efficiency, while also making it easier to host new cross-disciplinary collaborations.

More Than Just Research

Beyond its role in research, Tait Preserve has established itself as a gathering space for the RIT community and the public. The Leenhouts Lodge, a 4,500-square-foot facility on the property, can accommodate up to 100 people for meals, presentations, and events. Throughout the year, the site is alive with activity—from wellness programs like yoga and Pilates classes to seasonal public workshops such as container gardening.

These events are supported by a small but dedicated staff. In addition to Brault, the team includes Manager of Events and Operations Maggie Newton and Gardens and Grounds Specialist Meghan Gilbert, whose horticultural expertise helps shape the preserve’s flourishing landscapes.

Cultivating the Land

Agriculture has become one of the preserve’s defining features. Each year, the raised garden beds produce around 2,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, much of which makes its way to Gracie’s dining hall on the main campus. To keep production steady, the beds are replanted several times per season, ensuring a rotating supply of food crops.

The site also features an apple orchard and flower garden, both cultivated to enrich the community and enhance biodiversity. Seasonal volunteer days invite students, staff, and local residents to help plant native grasses and wildflowers across the south field. This work, combined with ongoing efforts to restore and maintain the grounds, reflects a long-term vision of sustainability.

For recreation, a two-mile trail winds around the preserve’s 60-acre lake, giving visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature just minutes from suburban Rochester.

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“It’s all part of an effort to get people out here and to provide activities that are unique to the property,” Brault said. “We try to provide experiences that you can’t always get on campus.”

A Gift with Lasting Impact

The Tait Preserve owes its existence to Amy Leenhouts Tait and Robert C. Tait, Rochester natives and successful real estate entrepreneurs who donated the property to RIT. What was once a commercial sand quarry has since been reshaped into a living classroom and community resource. Its location in Penfield, just 25 minutes from RIT’s main campus, makes it both accessible and distinct—close enough for day trips, but far enough to provide a sense of retreat.

With the upcoming addition of the field station, the preserve is poised to grow even more central to the university’s mission. Faculty see it as a way to strengthen experiential learning, while students will gain the chance to pursue projects that are rooted in the natural world yet connected to pressing global issues like pollution, sustainability, and resource management.

Looking Ahead

As the walls of the new station go up, anticipation is also rising among the RIT community. The facility represents not just a building, but a new chapter for the preserve—an expansion that could anchor more ambitious research, spark fresh collaborations, and bring more people out to explore the unique site.

For Brault and his team, the station is part of a larger vision of balance: between academics and recreation, between cultivation and preservation, between campus life and the outdoors.

For details on upcoming events, opportunities to volunteer, or ways to explore the preserve, the university encourages visitors to check the Tait Preserve website.