Horn Point Laboratory | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

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The Horn Point Laboratory, located on more than 800 acres on the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland's Eastern Shore, has advanced society’s understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems. Horn Point scientists are widely respected for their interdisciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of seagrasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling. With ongoing research programs spanning from the estuarine waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the open waters of the world's oceans, Horn Point is a national leader in applying environmental research and discovery to solve society’s most pressing environmental problems.

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Contact Information

Address:

2020 Horns Point Rd

Cambridge, MD 21613

United States

Phone Number:

(410) 228-8200

Governor Moore visits UMCES’ oyster hatchery, signs executive order to establish oyster task force

During an Eastern Shore “Bay Day” tour, Governor Wes Moore visited the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s oyster hatchery at its Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, Md., and announced a major policy shift in how Maryland will deploy state resources to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways to restore the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays.

Horn Point Laboratory Open House

October 14, 2023 11:00am to 4:00pm

Join us for this year’s Open House at the Horn Point Laboratory. Learn about cutting edge research our faculty and graduate students conduct in the Chesapeake Bay and across the world's oceans. Explore environmental science through exhibits, presentations, and hands-on activities. Visit one of the East Coast's largest oyster hatcheries to explore the iconic oyster from baby spat to restoration sanctuaries.

Citizen Science Meets Horn Point Lab Science

Professor Emeritus, Tom Fisher, is advising Queen Anne's County residents David Rockland and Sarah Dutton to better understand if the restoration practices they have implemented on their land are providing environmental benefits, primarily improving water quality. Fisher walked David and Sarah’s property with them, identifying best sites to implement their monitoring program and helped them set up a water testing program through UMCES’ labs.

Horn Point Laboratory students awarded scholarships by Izaak Walton League of America

Three Horn Point Laboratory students are the recipients of $8,000 in scholarships to advance their studies through extra-curricular programs in the Pacific Northwest and Europe.

Salt Contamination of Drinking Water is a growing threat at home and globally

Access to clean and safe drinking water is critical to public health and economic prosperity. About 70% of U.S. drinking water supply comes from surface waters, including the tidal fresh regions of estuaries. This is under threat due to climate change, salinization and human pressures. Led by Professor Ming Li, UMCES-HPL, an interdisciplinary team will examine risks and knowledge gaps on this growing threat.

UMCES graduates next generation of environmental leaders

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science held its annual Commencement May 19, featuring the conferral of master's and doctorate degrees, university awards, and keynote speaker Dr. Kandis Boyd, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Next Generation: Michael Kalinowski on reducing the environmental impacts of oyster aquaculture

My research focuses on building and testing tools to place below oyster aquaculture cages to help prevent environmental damage to the sediment.

New insights on why improvements to Chesapeake Bay remain a challenge

A new look at the history of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay sheds light on how the estuary has responded to nutrient reduction efforts and why improvements have remained a challenge.

Next Generation: Marshall Grossman

My research focus is ecological forecasting Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio cholerae, two organisms that are the leading causes of foodborne illness when consuming raw or undercooked seafood, within the Chesapeake Bay. This research gives insight into what shellfish aquaculture might expect for future shellfish harvests, the economic viability, and how harvest seasons might be affected, as well as the future state of the current locations where aquaculture is practiced.

Governor Moore visits UMCES’ oyster hatchery, signs executive order to establish oyster task force

During an Eastern Shore “Bay Day” tour, Governor Wes Moore visited the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s oyster hatchery at its Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, Md., and announced a major policy shift in how Maryland will deploy state resources to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways to restore the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays.

Horn Point Laboratory Open House

October 14, 2023 11:00am to 4:00pm

Join us for this year’s Open House at the Horn Point Laboratory. Learn about cutting edge research our faculty and graduate students conduct in the Chesapeake Bay and across the world's oceans. Explore environmental science through exhibits, presentations, and hands-on activities. Visit one of the East Coast's largest oyster hatcheries to explore the iconic oyster from baby spat to restoration sanctuaries.

Citizen Science Meets Horn Point Lab Science

Professor Emeritus, Tom Fisher, is advising Queen Anne's County residents David Rockland and Sarah Dutton to better understand if the restoration practices they have implemented on their land are providing environmental benefits, primarily improving water quality. Fisher walked David and Sarah’s property with them, identifying best sites to implement their monitoring program and helped them set up a water testing program through UMCES’ labs.

Horn Point Laboratory students awarded scholarships by Izaak Walton League of America

Three Horn Point Laboratory students are the recipients of $8,000 in scholarships to advance their studies through extra-curricular programs in the Pacific Northwest and Europe.

Salt Contamination of Drinking Water is a growing threat at home and globally

Access to clean and safe drinking water is critical to public health and economic prosperity. About 70% of U.S. drinking water supply comes from surface waters, including the tidal fresh regions of estuaries. This is under threat due to climate change, salinization and human pressures. Led by Professor Ming Li, UMCES-HPL, an interdisciplinary team will examine risks and knowledge gaps on this growing threat.

UMCES graduates next generation of environmental leaders

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science held its annual Commencement May 19, featuring the conferral of master's and doctorate degrees, university awards, and keynote speaker Dr. Kandis Boyd, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Next Generation: Michael Kalinowski on reducing the environmental impacts of oyster aquaculture

My research focuses on building and testing tools to place below oyster aquaculture cages to help prevent environmental damage to the sediment.

New insights on why improvements to Chesapeake Bay remain a challenge

A new look at the history of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay sheds light on how the estuary has responded to nutrient reduction efforts and why improvements have remained a challenge.

Next Generation: Marshall Grossman

My research focus is ecological forecasting Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio cholerae, two organisms that are the leading causes of foodborne illness when consuming raw or undercooked seafood, within the Chesapeake Bay. This research gives insight into what shellfish aquaculture might expect for future shellfish harvests, the economic viability, and how harvest seasons might be affected, as well as the future state of the current locations where aquaculture is practiced.

News

Explore the latest news from the Horn Point Laboratory, including research highlights and interviews with graduate students and faculty.

Events

From annual events to monthly seminars, visit the events calendar for what's happening.

About

From the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, scientists engage in world-renowned research in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish, and expertise in ecosystem modeling.

Faculty

Meet the researchers focused on understanding the world’s coastal ecosystems, leaders in oceanography, water quality, and the restoration of sea grasses, marshes, and shellfish.

Outreach

Learn about campus and oyster hatchery tours, scientists are available as guest speakers, the Chesapeake Champion annual award, and oyster shell recycling.

Applying Science

Discover research programs that apply scientific knowledge directly to emerging environmental issues, including the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery.

Education

Learn about educational opportunities designed for scientific exploration and understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Services & Tools

Explore tools and services available to scientists and researchers, including the Analytical Services Laboratory, Cell Analysis Center, and Raman microscope. Plus, gain access to our online library resources and learn about availability of the Widgeon Pavilion.

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