ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION

By  Mike Miller April 25, 2025

Archbold Biological Station, located in the heart of south-central Florida, is a world-renowned ecological research center dedicated to studying and conserving the unique ecosystems of the Lake Wales Ridge.

Spanning nearly 20,000 acres, this living laboratory in Venus, Florida, combines pristine Florida scrub habitats, a working cattle ranch at Buck Island Ranch, and restoration lands.

Established in 1941, Archbold serves as a hub for scientists, educators, and nature enthusiasts, offering a window into one of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems in North America.  

Archbold Biological Station

Founded by Richard Archbold, a famed aviator and explorer, the station emerged when his zoological research in New Guinea was halted by World War II.

Archbold acquired the initial land through his friend Donald Roebling, whose father, John A. Roebling II, owned the property.

A massive hurricane-resistant warehouse, built with foot-thick reinforced concrete walls, was constructed to store construction materials. It now houses labs, offices, and a library.

Since its inception, Archbold has been a pioneer in ecological research, notably leading over 50 years of study on the threatened Florida Scrub-Jay.

Added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2007, the station remains a testament to scientific discovery and conservation.  

Located at 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960, Archbold is roughly 8 miles south of Lake Placid. The Frances Archbold Hufty Learning Center is a LEED Platinum-certified building.

It welcomes visitors Thursday through Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm, with self-guided nature trails open during these hours.

The main office operates Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.  Visitors can explore 1.2 miles of loop trails, view exhibits, or attend scheduled talks and tours.

Visits to Buck Island Ranch are by appointment only (863-465-2571).

Check the events page for expert-led programs, and bring water and sunscreen for trail exploration.  

• Archbold’s Florida scrub ecosystem, part of the ancient Lake Wales Ridge, hosts 19 federally listed threatened species, including the Sand Skink and 13 endemic plants found nowhere else.  

• Its collection of over 250,000 specimens—plants, birds, mammals, and arthropods—is among the largest at any U.S. field station.  

• The station’s Buck Island Ranch studies sustainable cattle ranching, blending agriculture with conservation.  

• Archbold’s research has spurred the protection of the last remaining scrub parcels, making it a global model for conservation science. 

ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION WEBSITE