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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Understanding Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future

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Summer Canoe Trips

Search for wildlife while paddling on the Rhode River with one of our guides. No prior experience needed! Trips offered six Saturdays; advance signups required. Click for dates and details.
Citizen Science: Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project Returns

Join our citizen science team in June to help hunt for Loxo, an invasive parasite infecting Chesapeake mud crabs. Registration required. Contact Alison Cawood for dates and signup info!
Slime Nets and Other Invasive Parasites Unmasked

With DNA, marine biologists found thousands of different microbes lurking in ships' ballast water. Here are four you should know. (Photo: Dan Martin/University of South Alabama)
Director's Letter: The Year of Earth Optimism

"Earth Optimism does not mean the road ahead will be smooth, or that we are blind to the problems we face. It means we refuse to believe those problems are unconquerable."
Making Sense of Climate Change

Get the truth on the science and history of climate change, in this 6-part lecture series hosted by SERC plant ecologist Bert Drake. Watch all six episodes online!

Discover Smithsonian science in your backyard!
Visiting Hours:
Monday through Saturday, 9am-4:30pm. Closed Sundays and federal holidays.

Featured Events

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Citizen Science

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Friday, June 23, 2017 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
Cooperative Oxford Lab (in Oxford, MD)

An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists need your help to track the parasite!

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

Citizen Science

Fri., Jun 23 - 9:00am - 4:30pm
Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Citizen Science

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
SERC

An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists need your help to track the parasite!

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

Citizen Science

Sat., Jun 24 - 9:00am - 4:30pm
Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Citizen Science

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
SERC

An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists need your help to track the parasite!

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

Citizen Science

Sun., Jun 25 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

View calendar of events

Invasive Parasites Unmasked, Thanks to DNA

Image: Dan Martin/University of South Alabama
Alders Shape Fate Of Alaska's Wetlands—And Salmon

(Photo: Ryan King/Baylor University)
Methane Escaping Forests Through Tree Emissions

(Photo: Ryan Greene/SERC)

Image Gallery

boardwalk with chambers at Global Change Research Wetland

Ecosystems on the Edge

seagrass

Shorelines Blog

crane

Upcoming Events

Friday, Jun 23

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Citizen Science

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Friday, June 23, 2017 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
Cooperative Oxford Lab (in Oxford, MD)

An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists need your help to track the parasite!

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

9:00AM - 4:30PM

Saturday, Jun 24

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Citizen Science

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
SERC

An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists need your help to track the parasite!

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

9:00AM - 4:30PM

Sunday, Jun 25

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Citizen Science

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
SERC

An introduced parasite is affecting native mud crabs in Chesapeake Bay. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists need your help to track the parasite!

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

9:00AM - 4:30PM

Saturday, Jul 8

Archaeology Dig Day

Citizen Science

Archaeology Dig Day

Saturday, July 8, 2017 - 9:30am - 3:30pm

Event Location
SERC

The SERC Archaeology Lab is looking for volunteers to help excavate sites on our campus in Edgewater, Maryland. Volunteers will work alongside researchers and citizen scientists to excavate units, sieve sediment, and wash and sort artifacts.

Pre-registration Required
Yes

View Event Details

9:30AM - 3:30PM

Tuesday, Jul 18

Bridging the Science-Policy Gap to Protect a Watershed

Lecture

Bridging the Science-Policy Gap to Protect a Watershed

Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Event Location
Schmidt Conference Center

Speaker: Greg Bowen, Executive Director of the American Chestnut Land Trust

Pre-registration Required
No

View Event Details

7:00PM - 8:00PM

View calendar of events

SERC 50 Anniversary Icon

50 Years of Discovery

For half a century, SERC scientists have taken on environmental issues on Chesapeake Bay and around the world and uncovered new ways to protect the planet. Learn more about SERC’s history and discoveries.