124 - The Maestro of Midgeville: how one man and one plot brought field research to the doorstep of generations of students

Abstract: Nestled in the heart of the sprawling Agricultural Operations of UCR is a peculiar patch of land. Not a citrus grove or turf grass plot, this area is surrounded by towering trees that create a certain magical seclusion. Known affectionately as “Midgeville” after its original Chironomidae use in the 1970s, a Dr. William Walton joined UCR some years later and began a prolific research program that incorporated this peculiar space for a variety of projects. Following his work, various sizes of experimental ponds, mesocosms, tubs, and tanks fill the clearing today. The flexibility of the space allowed for a study scale more controlled than the field sites so often also utilized. Yet they were large enough to capture a broader range of interactions that mimicked nature much more than bottles and tanks. Midgeville allowed Bill Walton to tease out the ecological interactions that so intrigued him and his students in a variety of ways you will hear about in this symposium, and as his program grew, so did the uses he found. As his research turned to chemical and biological control of mosquitoes, the ponds and tubs became invaluable experimental testing units. Expanding the critical step in understanding the effects of control measures between lab trials and field deployment for the safe mitigation of mosquito-borne disease. From entire simulated wetlands to single leaf axils, Bill fostered this amazing space for decades of research on aquatic habitats. Without him, it stands as a testament to his work, and hopefully a conduit for the next generation.