Horn Point Laboratory | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

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About Horn Point Laboratory

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

Meet Visiting Fulbright Scholar Alejandro Roman

Alejandro Roman, a Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher from Spain, recently joined the research team led by Dr. Greg Silsbe at the Horn Point Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. “It is, without a doubt, the perfect opportunity to grow as a scientist and learn about ocean optics from a great specialist. I couldn’t wait for the moment to start working with him,” said Roman.

Study to explore new low-oxygen zones impacting the nation's richest fisheries

More than $1.4 million has been awarded to the UMCES Horn Point Laboratory to study a newly recognized form of coastal hypoxia—or low-oxygen zones—found on the West Florida Shelf, home to one of the nation’s most diverse and productive fisheries.

UMCES Ph.D. Candidates Named Finalists for 2024 Knauss Policy Fellowship Program

Paulina Huanca-Valenzuela and Carol Kim, as part of the 45th Knauss Fellowship class, will serve out their year-long fellowship in the legislative, or executive branch, of the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Record number of oysters planted in Chesapeake Bay this year

More than 1.7 billion new juvenile oysters have been planted on sanctuary and public oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay this year, surpassing an ambitious 2023 planting goal and setting a new annual record. Oysters for the restoration tributaries are grown primarily at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory.

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.

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.

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.

Meet Visiting Fulbright Scholar Alejandro Roman

Alejandro Roman, a Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher from Spain, recently joined the research team led by Dr. Greg Silsbe at the Horn Point Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. “It is, without a doubt, the perfect opportunity to grow as a scientist and learn about ocean optics from a great specialist. I couldn’t wait for the moment to start working with him,” said Roman.

Study to explore new low-oxygen zones impacting the nation's richest fisheries

More than $1.4 million has been awarded to the UMCES Horn Point Laboratory to study a newly recognized form of coastal hypoxia—or low-oxygen zones—found on the West Florida Shelf, home to one of the nation’s most diverse and productive fisheries.

UMCES Ph.D. Candidates Named Finalists for 2024 Knauss Policy Fellowship Program

Paulina Huanca-Valenzuela and Carol Kim, as part of the 45th Knauss Fellowship class, will serve out their year-long fellowship in the legislative, or executive branch, of the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Record number of oysters planted in Chesapeake Bay this year

More than 1.7 billion new juvenile oysters have been planted on sanctuary and public oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay this year, surpassing an ambitious 2023 planting goal and setting a new annual record. Oysters for the restoration tributaries are grown primarily at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory.

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.

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.

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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