The University of Kansas geology department bought 600 acres of land in Colorado to ensure geology students continue to take a class there each summer.
The department bought the land, known as Blue Ridge, from the landowner. It is in the mountains outside Canon City, Colorado. The geology department has used the land since 1922 to teach a six-week "field camp" class there.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the department paid $360,000 for the land, which offers wide rock diversity. The owners recently decided to sell the land and the department was concerned a new owner would not allow students there.
Money for the purchase came from a fund established by the family of late Lawrence resident Bob Harrison, who took the field camp course almost 90 years ago.
Copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved.