[1] The facility, located 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast from the campus in Washington, Pennsylvania, is home to several different ecosystems, including mixed deciduous forest, conifers, several springseeps, two perennial streams, wetlands, and a mowed field.

[1][2] These ecosystems support a diverse slate of wildlife, including birds, salamanders, fish, small mammals, white-tailed deer, various insects, and over 100 trees.

[1] The facility is equipped with a NexSens-brand real-time weather station and stream monitoring system to provide background data for research.

[3] The Abernathy Field Station is operated by W&J College, allowing faculty and students to study the structure and function of the ecosystems and wildlife in it through coursework and independent research projects.

[1] In 2008, W&J College received a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute which would provide funding for long-term ecological monitoring at the Field Station.