Visitors Center and Outreach

The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) is a vibrant part of the Solomons Island community where students, faculty, visitors and local residents come to learn about the natural environment.

CBL Visitors Center

• CBL Welcome Video: Who are we and what do we do?
• Chesapeake Bay Ecology Exhibit: Is the Bay healthy?
• Oyster Reef Aquarium Exhibt:  Marine life communities associated with oyster reefs.   
• The Watermens Legacy and UMCES Research Fleet Exhibit.
• CBL Research Exhibit:  Highlights of current environmental research.
• Interactive Computer Exhibit: Remote sensing and electronic technologies used by scientists today.  Access access weather information, water temperatures and salinity, and water current speed and direction data collected from the CBL Research Pier.

Hours of Operation

The CBL Visitor Center opens for the season on May 4th.  Open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Noon to 4:00 PM.

Laboratory Tours

Laboratory Tours are offered for the general public on Friday afternoons at 2:00 PM and last approximately 1 hour. Tours are not recommended for young children.

Volunteer Opportunities

Greet visitors at the visitor center, conduct lab tours, participate in community outreach events, maintain the rain garden, and work in the library. 

For more information about the CBL Visitor Center, Laboratory Tours, and Volunteer Opportunities, please contact: