🔬 Brackenridge Field Laboratory

The Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL) is an urban research station owned by the University of Texas at Austin. Established officially in 1967, it contains 82 acres of land and research infrastructure. It is dedicated to studies in biology. The extensive historical data kept about its diverse habitats has been important to the study of biodiversity, ecological succession and ecology. Some of the key studies into the red imported fire ant and potential biocontrol agents such as phorid flies have originated at the field station. It also contains the second largest insect collection in Texas. Since 1973 the Brackenridge Field Laboratory has been a subject of controversy due to the high value of the land.