Baruch Marine Field Laboratory

We welcome both visiting individual researchers and classes. We have numerous resources to facilitate your field studies and research efforts.  Groups up to 30 students can be accommodated for up to two weeks during most of the year.  The main building (19,872 sq ft) of the complex contains 18 air-conditioned research laboratories, a computer center, seminar room, conference-dining room, archived-sample room, classroom, site library, teaching lab, walk-in refrigerators and freezers, large screened work areas, and running seawater with technical and administrative support offices.  An observation deck, piers, floating docks, boat ramps and a marsh boardwalk provide easy access to the local coastal habitats.  Laboratory space, housing, research equipment, boats, and vehicles can be reserved and used for a fee.  Staff assistance can also be obtained.  For reservations & fee information please visit the reservations page.

Two nearby buildings (3000 sq ft) are equipped for field oriented research requiring running seawater for analytical equipment.  The seawater system provides up to 500 gpm of natural tidal creek water and 50 gpm of 20 micro mole filtered water.  Large replicated mesocosms provide opportunities for manipulative experimental research in intertidal habitats.

The base operation is covered by a hardwired and wireless T1 network that includes a video teleconferencing service linked to the Columbia campus which makes it possible for visitors to interact with other researchers and to access additional research resources with technical staff to assist you.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve (North-Inlet Winyah Bay) attached wing provides an additional 4000 sq ft of air-conditioned space for classrooms, teaching laboratories, computer labs, and offices in support of educational programming and research.

The complete structured base is supported by a maintenance shop that provides vehicle/boat support and offers unique talents to assist in research projects. 

The Kimbel Living & Learning Center

The Kimbel Center, located near the US Highway 17 entrance to Hobcaw, comprises modern dormitories and cottages (76 beds total) and a conference lodge (meetings of 100+ persons).  In addition to the large meeting hall, the Kimbel Lodge has two rooms available for smaller groups or breakout sessions. 

Each building in the Kimbel Center complex has a fully equipped kitchen and is climate controlled.  If you are interested in reserving the Kimbel Center please click the appropriatelink below for detailed information.

Kimbel Center Reservations For:

USC Faculty, Staff & Students     |     Non-USC Researchers or Civic Groups