Fossil Site volunteers

JOHNSON CITY – Paleontology enthusiasts are invited to volunteer with excavation and lab crews at the East Tennessee State University Gray Fossil Site and Museum.

A volunteer orientation session for prospective “paleontological assistants” is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, from 10 a.m.-noon in the museum’s Eastman Credit Union Classroom.

Many volunteer positions are currently available, primarily assisting in the field, because of the recent discovery of a nearly complete mastodon skeleton.  Gray Fossil Site paleontologists are seeking dedicated people to help recover this and other specimens.

Volunteers will work side-by-side with the crew, excavating the massive bones and wet-screening the sediment produced during the dig.

By joining the museum team, volunteers become part of a unique group of dedicated individuals who can be found in nearly every area of the site.  Whether digging in the pits, screening sediment, picking concentrate, greeting visitors, guiding groups or working alongside museum curators, there are many important ways in which volunteers contribute.

The museum regularly offers volunteer training and orientation annually in the spring.  Training and orientation is required, and the museum cannot accept new volunteers outside of the orientation dates.  Volunteers must be 15 or older.

Regular hours at the Gray Fossil Site and Museum, located 1.8 miles off Exit 13 on Interstate 26, are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

For more information, email Shawn Haugrud, laboratory and field manager, at haugrud@etsu.edu or call 423-439-3661 and leave a voice message.