Notre Dame to build N. Ind. research facility

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame plans to invest $1 million to build an environmental research center that will allow scientists and students to study land, water and wetland ecosystems facing environmental change.

The university will lease 28 acres at a park in St. Joseph County for $1 a year. Notre Dame will provide an on-site program manager who will help local educators develop programs for schools. Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative Director David Lodge says the park is ideal because it has water, wetlands and dry land conditions close to each other.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring.