- About AL
- Research at AL
- Aquatic Ecology
- Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology
- Conservation & Restoration Ecology
- Landscape Ecology
- Biologically-Optimized Environmental Classification of Maryland Streams
- Plant Community Response to Changes in Water
- Extinction Risk of the Delmarva Fox Squirrel
- Potomac Initiative
- Quantifying Feedbacks in Desert Vegetation
- Remote Sensing and Forest Disturbance
- Predicting Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise
- Landscape Controls on Seasonal Timing and Growing Season Length
- Watershed Hydrology and Biogeochemistry
- Education
- News
- Seminar Series
- Events
- People
- Chesapeake Watershed CESU
- Central Appalachians Stable Isotope Facility
- Citation Classics from AL
Gear up for Earth Day at Appalachian Laboratory Open House - April 21
Gear up to celebrate Earth Day with a free Open House at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn about science with hands-on experiments for the whole family, meet the scientists working in your community, and enjoy activities in a special Kids Corner.
The Appalachian Laboratory is located at 301 Braddock Road, just ¼ mile north of exit 33 on Interstate 68. There is pleny of free on-site parking. directions
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory is home to state-of-the-art research on plant and soil ecology, aquatic chemistry, hydrology, wildlife ecology and conservation biology. Three floors of the laboratory will feature hands-on learning about science, including research unique to Allegany County.
Hands-on, family-friendly science experiments include:
- Critter Nation: Learn about insects that live on the bottom of streams and build your own caddis fly case.
- Life in the Landscape: Participate in an interactive board game to experience the trials and tribulations of organisms as they move across the landscape.
- Bats: Beyond the Scary Movie: Learn why bats are important to our ecosystem and how they get around without "sight."
- Is that DNA in my smoothie? Learn how to isolate DNA from fruit.
In the Kids Corner, families can discover incredible insects, learn about the importance of our forests and plant a pine tree, make a hummingbird feeder to attract feathered friends to the backyard, make an eco-friendly tote bag, create a one-of-a-kind Earth Day t-shirt, and more.
The Appalachian Laboratory Open House is in conjunction with the Western Maryland Science & Engineering Festival Satellite Event being held at Frostburg State University in cooperation with Allegany County Public Schools.

