News and Research

What 2011's Extreme Weather Means
for the Bay

Hurricanes, snakeheads and dead zones - it's been a bizarre year for the Chesapeake, but our scientists say it's roughly what we'd expect with climate change.



Methane Release Threatens Marshes' Future as Greenhouse Sinks

Tidal wetlands have a reputation for absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. But sea-level rise could force them to emit more methane, and new research finds freshwater wetlands aren't as likely to act as buffers.



The Satellite That Could Save the Coasts

A 10-day research cruise on Chesapeake Bay paved the way for NASA's first geostationary satellite, a project to monitor the health of coastal waters along the Western Hemisphere.



Applied Science: SERC's Clean, Green Mathias Lab

With its own solar, geothermal and water recycling systems, SERC's new and revamped Mathias Laboratory is on track to become one of the most energy-efficient labs in the nation.

Education and Events

NEW! Online Registration System for Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Programs

Click HERE to go to our public calendar.

As of September 1, we have switched to online registration only. For the event you want to register for, simply copy and paste the registration link from the calendar into a separate window and follow the instructions.

Full Calendar of Events

--Wednesday, November 16, 10:00AM– 11:00AM
Parent-Child
"Mom n' Me: Gobble Goes the Turkey"

--Wednesday, November 16, 1:30PM– 2:00PM
Parent-Child
"Mom n' Me: Gobble Goes the Turkey"

--Wednesday, November 16, 7:00PM– 8:00PM
Evening Lecture
"SERC Evening Lecture Series: Sources and Sinks for Nutrient Discharges from Watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay"

--Wednesday, December 07, 10:00AM– 11:00AM
Parent-Child
"Mom n' Me: Oceans"

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
P.O. Box 28 • 647 Contees Wharf Road • Edgewater, Maryland 21037-0028 • 443-482-2200