A leading edge research center

The Coon Creek Science Center – UTM Field Station is a 240-acre field site located two hours south of the University of Tennessee – Martin campus in northeast McNairy County. The property, owned by MoSH, the Memphis Museum of Science & History, is leased to UTM for field research and field education. The site is an internationally recognized fossil site. The science center has a museum, field laboratories, bunk facilities, mess hall, weather station, and astronomy observing capabilities.

As one of the most important fossil sites in the U.S., the UT Martin Coon Creek Science Center is a 70-plus million-year-old exposed seafloor deposit that’s home to almost 700 preserved marine species. The 240-acre property was acquired by lease in April 2020 by the university from MoSH after years of partnership for institutional field research, community outreach and instruction.

The science center hosts various educational programs year-round, including UT Martin faculty and student research opportunities, classes and internships, external geoscience professional and field training, educator training, summer camps and more. Visitors of all ages and professions can receive hands-on experience learning how to carefully find and extract fossils.

The property is managed by UT Martin McNairy County Center/Selmer, and more information is available by calling the center at 731-646-1636.