In general, we ask that participants at the Saturday Dig Days are at least 10 years old. If you have an interested child under the age of 10, please contact me as special permission for younger children may be granted on a case-by-case basis. All volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. The general activities in archaeology are fairly straightforward (digging, sieving sediment, washing and sorting artifacts). We provide all training and materials. We work outside on uneven terrain, and ask that participants wear close toed, sturdy shoes.

The dig day will be happening even if it rains, or if it is hot. It if doesn't rain or if it is only drizzling, we will be working outside, so please dress to be comfortable and in clothing that can get dirty. If it does rain, there will be opportunities to work in the lab (close-toed shoes are required in the lab too). 

Please contact Alison Cawood (443-482-2271, cawooda@si.edu) if you would like to sign up. 

Summary: In the 1980s, SERC scientists discovered that streamside forests (a.k.a. “riparian buffers”) can absorb water pollution released from uphill areas, including farmlands. Since then, conserving and restoring riparian forests has become one of the most popular, effective methods for protecting aquatic systems like Chesapeake Bay. In this talk, SERC ecologist Don Weller will review SERC’s past and present work on riparian buffers, along with the history of implementing riparian buffers for water pollution control in the Chesapeake watershed. The talk will also highlight the many other benefits of riparian forests that make them good reasons for Bay Optimism. Free and open to all!