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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Understanding Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future

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Seagrass Restoration Brings New Life to Virginia Bays

Thanks to scientists and volunteers, seagrass is flourishing in small Virginia bays where experts once thought it had vanished for good. And a host of environmental benefits returned with it.
Interactive Virtual Field Trips

SERC's 1-hour virtual field trips will bring SERC science into your classroom or home. Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-3pm. (Photo courtesy of Samina Soin-Voshell)
Tagging Endangered Dusky Sharks

In a new study, SERC biologists tagged dusky sharks to track their journeys and discovered they are taking advantage of a natural refuge off the North Carolina coast. (Photo: Danielle Hall)
Global "BiteMap" Project Tracks Fish Appetites Around World

How hungry is the sea? To find out, scientists created the first global BiteMap by planting stakes with dried squid bait called squid pops underwater. (Photo: Brigitta van Tussenbroek)

What's New

Sharks Tags Reveal Endangered Species Returning To Natural Refuge

Photo: Danielle Hall/Smithsonian Ocean Portal
Carbon Sensors in the Time of Coronavirus

Photo: Megan Wilkerson
Words From Our Director: Confronting Racial Inequality

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Front and Back of a SERC Crab Tag

Ecosystems on the Edge

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Shorelines Blog

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Jan 19

Evening Webinar - Beyond Pandas: The Wildlife of Southeastern China

Lecture

Evening Webinar - Beyond Pandas: The Wildlife of Southeastern China

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Event Location
Online - Zoom

Speaker: Bill McShea, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

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View Event Details

7:00PM - 8:00PM

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

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.