FLCC breaks ground on bunkhouse for environmental field station

The event kicked off a renovation that will add a 24-person, handicap-accessible bunkhouse, a bus turnaround, and expanded parking at Muller Field Station.

On Monday, June 2, Finger Lakes Community College President Robert Nye, state representatives, construction and design partners, and the campus community gathered at Muller Field Station for a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of a multi-million dollar project.  

“The nearly $4 million expansion we begin today is more than a construction project — it is an investment in access, in education and in the environment,” the president said. “We are creating space for more FLCC students, SUNY partners, educators, researchers, and community members to study, explore, and be inspired by this extraordinary landscape.”

Raymond LeChase, vice president and partner of LeChase Construction Services; Brie Chupalio, FLCC chief advancement officer; Patricia Leo, executive director of the Emil and Florence Muller Foundations; Robert Nye, FLCC President; Chris Lopez, principal for campus and community design; and Maura Sullivan, director of the Muller Field Station and professor of environmental conservation and horticulture.

The renovations will allow for more immersive experiences at the 48-acre site, located at the south end of Honeoye Lake, known for its wooded and wetland habitats.  

Maura Sullivan, field station director and professor of environmental conservation and horticulture, called the groundbreaking a “monumental day” for the station. “It’s a culmination of many dedicated individuals who share a passion for this place and what it stands for: connecting people with nature, fostering a sense of wonder and inquiry, and practicing science and stewardship.” 

Patricia Leo, executive director of the Florence M. Muller Foundation and the Emil Muller Foundation, reflected on the legacy of the Mullers, the couple who owned the property before Florence Muller donated it to FLCC in 1999.  

The project will “mark the next phase of what Florence entrusted FLCC to do, which was to carry on her and Emil’s dream for this beautiful piece of land where they made their home,” Leo said.  

The renovations align with the field station’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, which aims to keep Muller Field Station modern and usable by adding, upgrading and maintaining facilities.  

The bunkhouse will make it possible for faculty and students from FLCC and other agencies and institutions to extend their stay when working on educational and research projects. Current overnight accommodations are limited, meaning research, field experience classes, and outdoor activities have to halt at the end of the day so participants can drive home. 

The ceremony concluded with attendees gathering around the key stakeholders for a photo opportunity, complete with ceremonial shovels and hard hats. 

The renovation project is expected to be completed by December 2025.

Dan Bakowski, district operations director for Sen. Pam Helming, presents a New York State Senate citation to Maura Sullivan. From left, Robert Nye, Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey, and Maura Sullivan pose with two New York State citations for Muller Field Station.