Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Enjoy a 1-1.5 mile morning hike along the beautiful trails of our campus to look for summer birds.

Explore the world of Smithsonian scientists with educators from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Learn about biodiversity through hands-on activities reflecting real research practices.

June 28th - Marine Biology
July 12th - Bat Biology
July 26th - River Otter Biology
August 9th - Marsh Ecology

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Attention outdoor enthusiasts and volunteer scientists! We need your help to get as many water samples from the Chesapeake Bay as possible on Tuesday, August 12th.

There will be two high-resolution satellites, Landsat-9 and Sentinel-2a, gracing the skies above the Chesapeake Bay. We can use your water samples to improve the water quality monitoring algorithms for not one but two satellites. Your small act can still make a big impact in safeguarding our coastal ecosystems. Don't miss out on the fun!

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Through story time and activities, kids will learn about animals of the Chesapeake Bay with our SERC Educators and Splash the River Otter Puppet!

June 17th - Butterflies
July 1st - River Otters
July 15th - Bay Fish
July 29th - Bay Birds
August 12th - Turtles

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Speaker: Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo