S.A. Lombard Nature Reserve (SAL) is located 17km from Bloemhof, South Africa. The main function of the reserve is for ungulate game species. SAL was one of the earliest wildlife conservation research centres in South Africa and is credited with saving the black wildebeest from extinction in the wild. Black wildebeest have now been restored to reserves throughout South Africa from the small game stock which formed the nucleus of the recovery program. Today, the reserve is an important breeding centre for a number of plains animals, including springbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and zebra.

The reserve conserves open Kalahari grassland on an unusual 'intact' floodplain, and is the last one in the central South African region, as much of the surrounding floodplain and region has been mined.  The western part of the reserve is dominated by Cymbopogon-Themeda veld. Viewing wildlife is made simple by the almost total lack of trees.

The reserve complex, including the research house, is located at the centre of the reserve. The house is pretty old and basic.  It has 3 bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen, a bathroom (with bath tub), and a toilet with a shower in the lab area.  Rooms have 8 proper beds and are not heated, but we have a couple of space heaters to warm up the kitchen in the morning.

The Boreal Ecosystem field station is located in Auktsjaur, in proximity to the field sites in managed forests and the Reivo nature reserve. The main functions of the field station are to conduct research on the evolution, ecology and conservation of boreal birds. However, the field station use is expanding to include diverse projects including the human-nature connection through art and expression. The field station has been operating since 2012.

The research complex includes the main building (kitchen, indoor bathroom, private rooms, lab space), a garage and shop area, outdoor storage facilities for outdoor research equipment, a campfire area, sauna, and am outdoor composting toilet. For peak research season and larger groups, the station also has two self-contained cottages.

The field station backs onto a lake and natural areas. In winter, Northern Lights are visible.