The Bull Shoals Field Station is an existing research location for Missouri State University (MSU) students located within the Ozarks on the shores of Bull Shoals lake and within the Drury-Mincy conservation area. There was an increasing demand for educational opportunities within the college and other organizations at the Bull Shoals Field Station, and a new facility was envisioned to support the expansion of ecological study and research.

The MSU Ozarks Education Center provides a unique location for MSU students, faculty researchers, and non-profit organizations to take part in ecological education and research. At 4,310 sf, the new facility provide one central location to accommodate visitors with naturally ventilated bunkhouses, a dining center, classroom space, and community gathering spaces to host programs and collaborate with others in the exploration of the region's ecology and wildlife.

The building is divided up into community space and residential space by way of an entry dogtrot and separate sleeping units.  The community space housed in the main building can host small and large groups up to 60 people. The cabins, located down the hill from the main building and immersed in the topography of the forest, accommodate 12 overnight guests at a time. The main building also provides accommodation for three overnight guests. The MSU Ozarks Education Center engages visitors with a full sensory experience of the regional ecology and focuses on creating a positive, high-performing built and natural environment.