A New Year's Hike at the Smithsonian Center

Lara Mulvaney and her two daughters, Sarah, 9 and Hannah, 11, emerge from the Java trail at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on Saturday. The center remains open throughout the fall and winter, running free ecology programs for the public, including the free New Year’s Hike last Saturday.

By MITCHELLE STEPHENSON, For The Capital

Published in The Capital on January 15, 2009

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is a gem of a site.

The property sits on the Rhode River about halfway between the village of Galesville and the intersection of Route 2 and Muddy Creek Road in Edgewater.

Back in 1964, when it was deeded to the Smithsonian, the then-secretary of the institution and the board of directors didn't quite know what to do with it. They thought about selling it and adding the money to their endowment.

Back then it was known as the 365-acre Java Dairy Farm, although there were no longer any cows living there.

But soon they discovered that it was a great site for studying wetland habitats. Over the years, the Smithsonian Institution bought adjacent land and constructed labs. Today, it encompasses 2,800 acres of land and is home to more than 180 researchers.

With nearly 70 percent of the earth's population living in the coastal zone, the scientists' research has the potential to affect the lives of many people. So it is fitting that they consider it a part of their mission to conduct public education and outreach.

Each week, the center offers a variety of programs, many for free, to bring the public to the site. During the programs, the center staff informs and educates them about researchers' work and exposes them to the beauty of the wetlands.

On Saturday, the first public offering of 2009 was a New Year's hike. More than a dozen people showed up during the crisp, clear morning.

Karen McDonald, the center's outreach coordinator, led the hike. The group met in the visitors center, the Reed Building, where Karen gave information about the center's work. Then they set out for their 11/2-mile trek on the Java and Discovery trails.

Lara Mulvaney of Davidsonville came with her two daughters Sarah, 9, and Hannah, 11.

"I thought it was a good hike." Sarah said. "We saw birds, ducks, geese and herons - we also saw tracks of skunks, raccoons and muskrats."

Along the hike, Karen pointed out evergreen orchids and showed the hikers how the fish weir works. It is a sort of fish trap that researchers use to once per week catch fish and marine animals going either upstream or downstream.

No animals are injured, and all are returned to the wild. They've caught snapping turtles, fish and crabs in the weir, Karen said.

The purpose is mainly to track populations.

Researchers found that tiny crabs were in the upstream net and large crabs in the downstream net - confirming that the estuary is being used as a place for crabs to mature, Karen said.

The center often uses holidays to focus on a given theme.

For example, on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, they'll be doing a program on animal courtship. In April, around Easter, there is a workshop on using natural dyes to color eggs.

Coming up, there is a Winter Wild Fowl Hike on Saturday. Hikers are likely to see many varieties of ducks, geese and herons, Karen said. On Feb. 21 the center is offering a workshop for building a bluebird house. There is a $25 fee for supplies.

During the hike last Saturday, Karen told the children that she has arranged for a live vulture to be brought in March 14 for a Beautiful Vultures program.

At the center there is a boat launch at the site, where non-motorized boats can be launched for a $5 fee, Karen said.

The center will provide kayakers and canoeists with a written guide to the area. For those who don't have their own watercraft, the center hosts excursions several times a year where they provide canoe, flotation devices and paddles.

For more information on the many programs at the center, visit www.serc.si.edu.

The Deale Historical Society held a raffle in December for one of Marjorie Johnson's beautiful handmade quilts. On Jan. 5, at the first meeting of the society, the winning ticket was drawn. The next day, members of the society delivered the quilt to the winner, West River resident Mabel Beneze. The proceeds from the raffle are going toward the restoration and permanent display of the 44-foot boat the Mary E. built in Deale in 1933.

The Friendship United Methodist Church's Appalachian Service Project is holding a Superbowl Sub Sale. Here's how it works: Call the church office at 410-257-7133 to order one of three delicious custom-made submarine sandwiches: ham, turkey or Italian cold cut. Orders need to be placed by Jan. 28. On Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 1, pick up and pay for your order at the church after 1 p.m.

Subs are $8 each. The funds benefit the church team that goes to the Appalachian Mountains each June to help families in the area.