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June 17: Power of the Paddle Film Screening

Join us for a special screening of Power of the Paddle with Chris Hopkinson, the first person to paddle the full length of Chesapeake Bay on a stand-up paddleboard! Live discussion and Q&A with Chris to follow. (Photo: Bay Paddle)
SERC Turns 60

"It began as a surprise bequest, when entrepreneur Robert Lee Forrest willed his abandoned dairy farm...Over the last six decades, the center has transformed into a cutting-edge research campus." (Photo: Sam Benson)
Forests With More Tree Species Grow Faster

Having a mix of tree species can help a forest grow faster—and absorb more carbon. Scientists made the discovery in SERC's BiodiversiTREE forest experiment in Maryland and its sister site in Virginia. (Photo: Mickey Pullen)
Request a Tour or Speaker

Want to hold a group tour at SERC or have a SERC speaker at your event? Our expert docents can provide tours, talks and table hosting.
School Field Trips: What To Know

Educators: Give your students an up-close encounter with Chesapeake science, with an on-site field trip! SERC offers timed entry and rotating stations. Details and schedule on our School Programs page.

What's New

Hotter Temps Trigger Wetlands To Emit More Methane As Microbes Struggle To Keep Up

Photo: SERC
Biodiverse forests grow faster – and absorb more carbon

Photo: Mickey Pullen
Three Animals Helping Us Track Ocean Plastic

Photo: Dan Vickers

Learn More

Go Deeper

Upcoming Events

Thursday, June 12, 2025

June 2025 Mud Crab Sampling

Participatory Science

June 2025 Mud Crab Sampling

Look for mud crabs with the Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project!

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Friday, June 6, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Friday, June 13, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm

Event Location
Multiple locations

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.

Sign up

View Event Details

10:00am - 2:00pm

Friday, June 13, 2025

June 2025 Mud Crab Sampling

Participatory Science

June 2025 Mud Crab Sampling

Look for mud crabs with the Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project!

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Friday, June 6, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm Friday, June 13, 2025 - 10:00am - 2:00pm

Event Location
Multiple locations

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.

Sign up

View Event Details

10:00am - 2:00pm

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Bay Shore Explorers

Workshop

Bay Shore Explorers

These programs are free and open to kids ages 5-7!

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, July 1, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:00am

Event Location
Reed Education Center - Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

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

Register (email)

View Event Details

10:00am - 11:00am
Film Screening: Power of the Paddle

Talk

Film Screening: Power of the Paddle

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Speaker: Chris Hopkinson

Sign up online

View Event Details

7:00pm - 8:30pm

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Morning Bird Hike

Family Program

Morning Bird Hike

These programs are free and open to ages 13 and older!

Saturday, June 28, 2025 - 7:30am - 9:00am Saturday, July 12, 2025 - 7:30am - 9:00am Saturday, July 26, 2025 - 7:30am - 9:00am Saturday, August 9, 2025 - 7:30am - 9:00am

Event Location
Reed Education Center - Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

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

Register (email)

View Event Details

7:30am - 9:00am

View calendar of events

Visiting Hours

New hours: SERC is open for hiking and paddling Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.!

Our Woodlawn History Center is located just past the security kiosk. Find out when to visit.

Plan your visit!

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

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Home

June 17: Power of the Paddle Film Screening

SERC Turns 60

Forests With More Tree Species Grow Faster

Request a Tour or Speaker

School Field Trips: What To Know

What's New

Hotter Temps Trigger Wetlands To Emit More Methane As Microbes Struggle To Keep Up

Biodiverse forests grow faster – and absorb more carbon

Three Animals Helping Us Track Ocean Plastic

Learn More

Ecosystems on the Edge

Shorelines Blog

Go Deeper

Subscribe

Volunteer

Become an Intern or Fellow

Upcoming Events

Thursday, June 12, 2025

June 2025 Mud Crab Sampling

Look for mud crabs with the Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project!

Friday, June 13, 2025

June 2025 Mud Crab Sampling

Look for mud crabs with the Chesapeake Bay Parasite Project!

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Bay Shore Explorers

These programs are free and open to kids ages 5-7!

Film Screening: Power of the Paddle

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Morning Bird Hike

These programs are free and open to ages 13 and older!

Visiting Hours

60 Years of Discovery