Cambridge, Md. (April 21, 2008) – The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is again offering free 90-minute tours of its Horn Point Laboratory on Tuesdays and Saturdays beginning May 3 and running throughout the summer.

As part of the walking tour, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see state-of-the-art working marine research labs where scientists are conducting studies to identify solutions to the challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay.

Visitors can walk through the Center’s newest building - the Aquaculture and Restoration Ecology Laboratory. It is the nation’s only university research facility dedicated to restoration ecology and aquaculture. Here ecosystem science is being conducted to produce effective and environmentally sustainable strategies to restore coastal environments.

The laboratory includes the Jones Oyster Culture Facility, the only state-run oyster hatchery in Maryland and the birthplace for millions of the Bay’s native oysters annually.  In addition to the oyster hatchery, visitors will see the finfish hatchery, home to Atlantic sturgeon and clown fish made famous by Disney’s “Finding Nemo.”

All public tours are free to visitors and leave promptly from the visitor reception area at 10:00 a.m., so visitors are advised to plan accordingly. Tours run through September and are not offered on holidays. For information and directions, visit http://www.hpl.umces.edu/tours. The Horn Point Lab is located at 2020 Horns Point Road, just outside Cambridge.

The Horn Point Laboratory is an environmental research facility of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the principal research institution for advanced environmental research and graduate studies within the University System of Maryland. With laboratories in Frostburg, Solomons Island and Cambridge, UMCES researchers are helping improve our scientific understanding of Maryland, the region and the world.

CONTACT:
Chris Conner
443-496-0095