Queer Fossil Hunting - New Jersey
Queer Fossil Hunting - New Jersey
July 20, 2025 — 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
Last day to register: July 18, 2025
Are you curious about the geology of New Jersey’s streams and brooks? Join TVOP Volunteer Brenna for a morning of wading through a freshwater creek and searching for Cretaceous fossils. The Cretaceous period began about 145 million years ago and ended about 66 million years ago. At that time, New Jersey was submerged by ocean water, and prehistoric animal remains accumulated on the seafloor. Fast forward to present day and brooks and streams eroding the ground have exposed these marine fossil layers. We will move slowly along a 0.4 mile trail to access a babbling brook within a wooded area and wade through the brook while searching for marine fossils. The trail itself is narrow and will require walking in a single-file line, and includes one small wooden bridge which requires one step up and one step down to access. The brook is about 3-4 inches deep with a bottom of solid sediment and some rocks. Shark teeth are very common in this area! All experience levels are welcome on this beginner-friendly outing! Footwear you are comfortable walking in water with is highly recommended. Please let us know if there are ways we can make this event more accessible for you when registering.
We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.
GENERAL INFO
Location: Monmouth County, NJ (Lenni-Lenape lands)
Parking: Paved parking lot with plenty of spots
Pets: Dogs on leash are welcome. Please give us a heads-up if you plan on bringing your pup!
Meet: July 20, 2025
Hike: 0.8 miles out and back, negligible elevation change
Cost: $0-$20 sliding scale
To find out where you fall best in our sliding scale, see the “Why does this trip cost money?” dropdown below.
Bring: Water shoes, crocs, sandals, or similar footwear; drinking water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, towel, small backpack or bag, hat for sun protection, and a sieve, colander, or similar for the activity (let us know if you cannot bring one, TVOP can provide!) Wear clothes you are comfortable getting wet, bathing suit shorts recommended.
COVID SAFETY
Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in a hike.
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Our sliding scale is meant to make our trips and events more accessible for those who have financial barriers. Paying a higher amount allows us to provide more opportunities to others. Paying a smaller amount is recommended for those who would not otherwise be able to afford the estimated value. Please choose an amount that you will be able to pay, but will not hinder your ability to afford food, housing, etc. By paying as much as you can, we are able to serve more of our community members.
Our sliding scale recommendation:
- Low: Yearly income $30,000 or under, struggles to meet basic needs
- Mid (pays estimated value): Yearly income $40,000-$75,000, some expendable income
- High: Yearly income $80,000-$100,000, comfortable, never struggle with basic needs
Need more examples? We follow the Green Bottle principle. Click here to view and find out where you fall.
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Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.
