In recognition of his participation and co-leadership of the extensive volunteer efforts to reunite families with the cremains of their loved ones after the devastating California fire seasons starting in 2017, Michael Newland has been awarded the 2020 President’s Award by the Society for California Archaeology (SCA).
According to SCA, this award “is given for above and beyond service to the SCA and California archaeology in general.”
Michael was nominated alongside his partners in this effort, Alexander DeGeorgey from Alta Archaeological Consulting and Natalie Brodie from AECOM, and the Institute for Canine Forensics.
You can find the award nomination for the team from Rebecca Allen, PhD, by clicking here.
Congratulations to Mike, his partners, and all of the amazing volunteer archaeologists who have taken up the call for this important work.
For information about the volunteer efforts, you can find stories, images, and video in the following news items:
Press Democrat | Among the ashes, search dogs find cremated remains of Santa Rosa loved ones
October 31, 2017
National Public Radio | Forensic Search Dogs Sniff Out Human Ashes In Wildfire Wreckage
February 3, 2018
National Geographic | How sniffer dogs find cremated human remains after wildfires
October 30, 2018
Los Angeles Times | Search dogs and archaeologists look for cremated remains amid a wildfire’s debris (VIDEO)
December 6, 2018
Mercury News | Archaeologists look for cremains in ruins of Camp Fire
December 17, 2018
San Francisco Chronicle | Out of the ruins come ashes, thanks to dogs
December 29, 2018
Washington Post | Dogs help wildfire survivors recover their most precious possession: Human cremains
December 29, 2018
Sacramento Bee | Even the ashes of late loved ones were lost in Paradise. Enter archaeologists and canines
January 17, 2019
Fresno Bee | Even the ashes of late loved ones were lost in Paradise. Enter archaeologists and canines (VIDEO)
January 17, 2019
