With a large and environmentally significant bog and three large ponds in its 1,000 acres of boreal forest land, the Babcock Nature Preserve is an ideal outdoor laboratory for students of field biology, ornithology, and environmental and natural science courses.

The tract was donated to Vermont State Colleges by Robert and Anne Hanchett Babcock. Mr. Babcock was a Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, serving under Governor Robert Stafford. He was also the first provost of the Vermont State Colleges, and a member of the Vermont House of Representatives.

The Vermont State Colleges (VSC) is an association of five public colleges established by an act of the Vermont General Assembly in 1961: Castleton State College, Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College, and the Vermont Technical College.

The Preserve is maintained by nearby Northern Vermont University formerly Johnson State College for scientific and educational study. It is open to the public. The Preserve is located at the end of Baker Road in Eden.