Kessler Farm Field Laboratory (KFFL)
Facilities Guidelines

1. Contact Information and Emergencies
1. Dr. Linda Wallace, Director, KFFL, (lwallace@ou.edu, 325-6685, cell 664-2816).
2. Lynda Snake, Caretaker (lesnake@ou.edu, 344-6976 (KFFL caretaker in residence))
3. Ben Dixon, Facilities Manager (bdixon@ou.edu, 681-5096 home, 344-6976 KFFL, cell 208-9317).
4. For emergencies, call 911.  The farm address is 18388 190th Street, Purcell,  OK 73080, at the corner of 190th and Western.  It is in McClain County.  Sheriff # is 527-2141, OU police # is 325-2864, Purcell police is 527-2166, Purcell fire is 527-3132. 
5. First Aid, Safety.  It is the responsibility of all KFFL users to bring their own first aid kits, safety supplies, etc.   Also, visitors need to be aware of biting insects, ticks, snakes, etc. and take appropriate precautions including application of insect repellents.  During periods of high heat, visitors must bring adequate drinking water supplies with them and dress appropriately (recommended: lightweight clothing, light colors, hat, long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes and socks).  Visitors also need to dress appropriately for cold or inclement weather and stay weather-aware in case of severe storms.  All visitors must sign in and out using the sign in roster at the farm entrance.  This will enable KFFL personnel to seek assistance in case a user becomes stranded in the field.  It also helps track KFFL usage.
2. Access to KFFL
1. Research Use.  Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and elsewhere may apply to use the property and facilities of KFFL. Requests should be made in writing to Dr. Linda Wallace (lwallace@ou.edu), Director, KFFL. The application should include detailed information about the proposed project, including (i) description of the project and source of funding, (ii) the proposed location of research activities at KFFL, (iii) duration of the project, (iv) space needs and frequency of use at the KFFL Laboratory building or other buildings on site, (v) description of any equipment left on site during the project and (vi) signed Waiver of Liability form. Generally, approval from the KFFL Executive Committee is required for research projects. Research conducted at KFFL must comply with policies of the Office of the Vice President for Research, including policies relating to animal care and use, human subjects, etc.  All research areas need to have GPS coordinates (for placement on the KFFL GIS) and be clearly marked including a small sign describing the project and researcher contact information. At completion of the research project, researchers are responsible for removing all research equipment and supplies from the field site and laboratory as quickly as is possible.  Any research project that needs to dig into the ground deeper than 18 inches at any time during its tenure, needs to work with the facilities manager and contact Okie One Call (1-800-522-6543) at least 72 hours prior to any digging activities.  There are active and inactive pipelines under the property and this will reduce the likelihood of puncturing one of those. Users who dig without contacting Okie One Call first will be liable for any and all charges related to pipeline repair.
2. Research Use Fees.  Fees for use of KFFL property and facilities are assessed in order to offset maintenance cost of KFFL.  Contact the Director of the KFFL for information on user fees.
3. Students, Outreach, and Visitors.  University and K-12 classes, outreach programs, and other visitors are welcome to visit KFFL for tours, research projects and other learning opportunities. Visitors should contact Dr. Linda Wallace at least 5 days prior to each visit.  Dr. Wallace and KFFL staff will be happy to discuss learning opportunities available at KFFL, and can assist in coordinating your visit.  Sample collection must be approved prior to class visits including the sites of sample collection. Data from these samples can be placed on the KFFL GIS for research and class use. Casual removal of any plants, including flowers, soils, or animals is considered sampling, and is not permitted without prior approval.  Because KFFL is a natural area with ongoing scientific research, it is important that the site be disturbed as little as possible.  KFFL faculty and staff appreciate the efforts of outreach programs in keeping KFFL pristine. At no time are classes to enter into or place materials in marked research areas without specific permission of the researchers in charge of those areas.  Any materials placed on the farm for class use must be removed at the completion of the course. 
4. Waiver of Liability.  Visitors who are not employees of the University of Oklahoma must submit a signed waiver of liability form to KFFL prior to visiting KFFL.  Any visitors who are minor children and are not enrolled students at the University of Oklahoma must have a Minor’s Liability Form filled out and signed by the appropriate parent or guardian.
3. General User Policies
1. Notification of visits to KFFL.  Individuals entering KFFL must notify Lynda Snake (lesnake@ou.edu, 344-6976) and the Director of KFFL, Linda Wallace (lwallace@ou.edu, 325-6685) prior to their visit. Notification is necessary to ensure safety of individuals and facilities at KFFL, and is needed to accurately document use of KFFL.  Prior notification is not required for regularly scheduled activities of individuals conducting approved research projects.
2. Driving off road.  No off road vehicle driving is permitted.  All cars, trucks, vans and busses must use roads and driveways designated for regular vehicular travel.
3. Utility vehicle access.  KFFL maintains a small group of utility vehicles (four wheel drive “Gators” or “Mules” or similar types) that may be rented for use by research projects.  These vehicles must be driven in a safe manner and must avoid steep slopes, eroded areas, and research plots.  All drivers must sign liability waivers prior to use. 
4. Parking Areas.  Visitors must park in designated areas which are currently the life estate area across from the cottage, and the gravel area across from the ARM facility.  Buses must park in these designated areas, but must not be left idling after discharging their passengers.
5. Research Sites and Equipment.  To ensure security of research projects, equipment, and facilities it is essential that users of KFFL be mindful of other research projects at the site. Researchers should use only the field sites, laboratory facilities, and equipment for which their project has been approved. Additionally, researchers should report any problems or irregularities they observe at KFFL (i.e. power outage, building maintenance problems, wind damage, vandalism, etc.) so that maintenance personnel and other researchers may be notified.
6. KFFL Research Laboratory.  In order to ensure security and efficient operation of the KFFL laboratory it is necessary that all laboratory users obtain permission to use the facility (See item 2a above).  Users should lock the doors and windows when leaving the building.  Also, because there is no regular custodial service in the building, users are required to clean up after themselves and properly dispose of trash.
7. Cattle and wildlife.  KFFL is an active cattle ranch, and users should be mindful of the cattle on the property.  Gates need to be left in the condition they are found when visitors arrive at KFFL, i.e. if a gate is open, please leave it open, if it is closed, please close it after yourself. Please do not approach cattle. Because KFFL is an active biological research site, hunting and fishing are prohibited.  Only users conducting research on wildlife should approach these animals.
8. Drinking water.  Visitors are responsible for providing their own drinking water.
9. Pets.  No pets are allowed at KFFL.
10. Firearms, fireworks. Firearms and fireworks are prohibited at KFFL.
11. Smoking.  Smoking is allowed only in the designated area.  The designated smoking area is the gravel-covered parking lot, and contains a receptacle for ashes and butts.  Smoking is prohibited elsewhere due to fire danger.  During state-issued burn bans, smoking is prohibited everywhere on the farm.
12. Herbicides, pesticides, chemicals.  No herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals are allowed at KFFL without prior approval of the Director of the KFFL.
13. Fires.  Users of KFFL should be aware of the risk of wildfires and should not use matches or other items in ways that increase the risk of fire.  Campfires are prohibited.
14. Litter and trash.  It is the responsibility of all KFFL users to dispose of trash properly and to remove any litter that they find on the site.  All trash must be disposed of either by removing it from the site, or placing it in the dumpster.  If the dumpster is full, all trash must be removed from the site.
4. Data archiving
1. Data collected by class and researchers at KFFL may be archived on a secure portion of the KFFL web site.  Please contact Dr. Wallace for metadata requirements, which follow those recommended by the OBFS (www.obfs.org) [Organization of Biological Field Stations] 
2. Data are publicly available upon their initial placement on the KFFL web page.  Please contact Dr. Wallace or the data manager for conditions of data use.  
5. Using the Kawasaki Trans Mule ATV
1. Prior to seeking permission to use the Kawasaki Trans Mule, individuals must read, understand, and comply with the ATV safety procedures at: http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib080306.html
2. Any users must complete, sign, and submit a waiver form to Dr. Linda Wallace to use the Trans Mule.