For 40 years I have noticed that glacial boulders are abundant and beautiful in the copper country, but they are underutilized for their educational, research and artistic potential. I have looked constantly for excellent examples, finding an occasional gem, but never a collection that is together of great interest until now. This past summer, while working on the design of a field class in earth sciences, I entered the Mohawk Sand and Gravel quarry between Ahmeek and Copper City. There, as part of a much larger group of boulders harvested from glacial outwash, I found an extraordinary group of about 30-35 boulders which are naturally-shaped (glacially transported) examples of all the major rock types of the Peninsula, including dramatic examples of the important individual rock types that come from solidification of huge lava flows (Vesicular flow tops, fissures, pegmatites, ophitic portions), conglomerates, sandstones. We supplemented that collection with two excellent boulders that were already on campus, near the SDC. Each of the boulders is a museum specimen, but they are larger and more robust than those stored inside. They have been outside for decades and do not need shelter. The size of these rocks is mostly 1-2 m in diameter. They have been arranged artistically in a small plaza to allow for people to walk around them. They will be supplemented with educational materials which are being developed for research and teaching purposes. They can be used in geological and material science classes and would also be an attraction to visitors. The timing and conception of this project was was triggered by the MiTEP research project about earth science teaching, sponsored by the US National Science Foundation which emphasizes hands on teaching of field topics. This project very much speaks to that need, and it is expected to be a model for similar projects on other campuses. The garden also reflects a new international focus on Geoheritage.

