Christy Woods is an outdoor teaching laboratory for Ball State students, as well as the community. Located on the southwest corner of the campus, Christy Woods is a 17-acre property filled with mature deciduous forest, tallgrass prairie, and other plant communities. The property is one of six managed by the Field Station and Environmental Education Center.

The university's two main greenhouse are a part of Christy Woods: Teaching and Research Greenhouse and the Orchid Greenhouse. A third small greenhouse is used for propagation of native species. Within the woods, there are bulletin boards and an open wood shelter, which serves as a nature interpretation center. There is also an indoor classroom available for nature education.