Ecological Park

Students, faculty, and the general public first proposed the park in February 1971, after protesting the destruction of most of the Charles E. Montgomery Arboretum for the construction of the building of Montgomery Hall and the Psychology-Computer Science Building. Initiated by the Campus Environmental Committee who held the first planting on Arbor Day, April 30, 1971, and NIU dedicated the park on October 22, 1971. The park contains seven forest systems or ecosystems that are current or past forest groups indigenous to Illinois.