Sugar Island is reached by Ferry from Sault Ste. Consequently, summers are cooler and winters milder with more snowfall. The Station's property consists of forests of beech-maple and successional stages of aspen, oak, and pine on the better drained soils. Moister habitats have spruce, fir, and cedar forests. Wetlands are comprised of bogs, fens, swamps and marshes.
Lakes are especially numerous in the region.
The Station's property contains a river, streams, and eight mi of undeveloped natural lake shoreline. Dunelands found near the shores of the Great Lakes are unique regional environments. About 280 students, faculty, staff, scientists and families can be accommodated in summer, and 40 people in winter. At the Osborn Preserve, accomodations can be made for researchers or up to 30 students in group housing during the warm months. Visiting investigators are invited to use the facilities and habitats.