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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Understanding Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future

Visitors: Our campus will be closed on the following Saturdays for annual forest management: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18 and Jan. 8. We will also be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day for the federal holidays. All visitors should do a self-health check before arriving and bring a face covering if you need to use any indoor facilities. See our COVID-19 Visitor Guide for where to park, updated maps and hours, and other safety info.

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What's New

Stony Corals Staging A Comeback In Belize

Photo: Smithsonian MarineGEO
Male, Female Cownose Rays Follow Different Migration Cues

Photo: Laura Patrick/SERC
Words From Our Director: Confronting Racial Inequality

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Image Gallery

phytoplankton bloom

Ecosystems on the Edge

seagrass

Shorelines Blog

crane

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Young man and two young women on a dock, inspecting a crate of oyster shell

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Young woman outside on bench, holding up an oyster in each hand

Upcoming Events

Saturday, Feb 5

Virtual Educator Training: Science To Go

Virtual Educator Training: Science To Go

Saturday, February 5, 2022 - 10:00am - 3:00pm

Bring the magic of Science To Go into your clasroom, with two virtual professional development events for educators!

View Event Details

10:00AM - 3:00PM

Visiting Hours

SERC is opening for hiking and paddling Monday through Saturday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Closed Sundays and federal holidays.

See our COVID-19 Visitor Guide

You can also enjoy some of our virtual programs:

Virtual Field Trips

Earth Optimism webinars

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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.