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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Understanding Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future

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The Tropical Fish That Sings Its Own Song

For the first time, biologists recorded songs of the Bocon toadfish, a Panama fish that sings at night to attract females. Click the photo link to hear their calls. (Photo: Study authors)
Director's Letter: Where Politics and Science Collide

"It's happening here in Chesapeake Bay, and in other parts of the world. These places are proving when science and policy work together, remarkable things can unfold."
Free Monthly Lectures: Bay Optimism

Get inspired by true stories of Bay Optimism, with free evening lectures every third Tuesday of the month at 7pm, March-October. (Photo: Chuck Gallegos and LightHawk)
Citizen Science: Help Spot Invaders With Your Smart Phone

Help SERC's marine biologists identify underwater life on thousands of photos with Invader ID, the new online citizen science project!
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, 8:30am-4:30pm. Closed Sundays and federal holidays.

Featured Events

Tracking the Bay's Cownose Rays

Lecture

Tracking the Bay's Cownose Rays

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Event Location
Schmidt Conference Center

Speaker: Matt Ogburn (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)

Pre-registration Required
No

View Event Details

Lecture

Tue., Jun 19 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Jellyfish in the Chesapeake: The Creatures We Love to Hate

Lecture

Jellyfish in the Chesapeake: The Creatures We Love to Hate

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Event Location
Schmidt Conference Center

Speaker: Denise Breitburg (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)

Pre-registration Required
No

View Event Details

Lecture

Tue., Jul 17 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

View calendar of events

Intern Logs: Shark Tagging in the Sunshine State

Photo: Jay Fleming
Help Spot Invaders With Your Smart Phone

Photo: Kristen Minogue/SERC
Record-Breaking Comeback for Chesapeake Grasses

Photo: J. J. Orth/VIMS

Image Gallery

Leafy green rosette of downy rattlesnake plantain

Ecosystems on the Edge

seagrass

Shorelines Blog

crane

Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 24

Ozone Impacts on Ecological Interactions

Lecture

Ozone Impacts on Ecological Interactions

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 11:00am - 12:00pm

Event Location
Schmidt Conference Center

Speaker: Manual Lerdau (University of Virginia)

Pre-registration Required
No

View Event Details

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Friday, Jun 8

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Friday, June 8, 2018 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
Jefferson Patterson Park (in St Leonard, 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 9

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project

Saturday, June 9, 2018 - 9:00am - 4:30pm

Event Location
SERC Dock in Edgewater, 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
Archaeology Dig Day

Archaeology Dig Day

Saturday, June 9, 2018 - 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

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.