Appalachian Laboratory

Outreach

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

Albert Einstein


Community Events

The Appalachian Laboratory participates in a growing number of community events each year.  Every April, the Laboratory invites the public to attend an annual Open House, offering opportunities to learn more about what we do through tours and demonstrations.  Additionally, staff and faculty have participated in the Appalachian Festival, as well as the Western Maryland STEM Festival. 

Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award

This Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award honors the memory of Dr. Richard Johnson by recognizing individuals in the community who develop, mentor, or inspire our future leaders in the environmental sciences and the stewardship required to achieve a sustainable future.  Recent recipients include the Marcellus Shale Stream Monitoring Coalition (2016), Janice Keene (2015), Tom Mathews (2014), and the Forestry Technology Program at Allegany College of Maryland (2013).  Recipients receive a modest stipend intended to support future environmental endeavors and are honored at a ceremony and reception held in April. The generous support of donors makes this award possible.

On RAJ page, could we have webforms for future nominations, RSVP, etc.?  

Tours

Tours of the Appalachian Laboratory are scheduled by appointment on an as needed basis.  To learn more about tour options for your group, please contact Rhonda Schwinabart, Cooridnator of External Affairs, at 301-689-7102 or rschwinabart@umces.edu

Watershed Moments Community Learning Series

NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold during Watershed Moments presentation in November 2016.

As part of its commitment to public education, the UMCES Appalachian Laboratory offers free community presentations and events through its Watershed Moments Community Learning Series. Launched in 2015, the Watershed Moments series has offered presentations on topics such as prairie dogs, glaciers, air quality, and space.  Presenters have included NASA Astronaut and UMCES alumnus Ricky Arnold, children’s author Barbara Hurd, glaciologist Richard Alley, and prairie dog expert and UMCES faculty member John Hoogland, among others.  All events are free, open to the public, and held at the Appalachian Laboratory or other nearby venues.