Engaging area residents is part of the Horn Point Laboratory's environmental research mission. A world-class research facility located right on the Eastern Shore; HPL strives to take what we learn in the lab into our local community.
By volunteering at the lab, visiting our campus and oyster hatchery for tours and open houses, or inviting an expert from our Speakers Bureau to speak at your event, area residents go behind the scenes and learn from some of the best and brightest in the environmental research field.
Horn Point Laboratory also fosters the community's involvement in restoring the Chesapeake Bay through its Chesapeake Champion award and an oyster shell-recycling program.
Open House
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science at the Horn Point Laboratory opens its facilities to the public every year during October. Horn Point faculty and students have exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on-exhibits for all to learn about the research being conducted at the Lab. The oyster hatchery is highlighted with activities to demonstrate how they raise oyster larvae and their role in restoration efforts throughout Chesapeake Bay. This is a great family event and FREE to all! Come explore the Chesapeake and more with the Horn Point Lab.
Horn Point Newsletter
The Horn Point Laboratory sends out a monthly e-newsletter regarding lab news and upcoming events.
Recycling Oyster Shells
You can now bring used oyster shells to a recycling station at the Oyster Restoration Partnership site at the Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge. Station hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. The drop-off location is about a half-mile down the driveway of the Horn Point Laboratory campus. Bins are located on the left. For more information, call 410-228-9250.
Speakers Bureau
Horn Point Laboratory has a variety of faculty conducting research that is of interest to everyone, and our lab has a list of faculty interested in presenting at community events or for civic organizations about their research. If your organization would like to have one of our faculty as a speaker for an event, please contact Claire Otterbein at 410-221-8408 or cotterbein@umces.edu.
LEARN MORE
Tours
Horn Point Laboratory invites the community to experience a world–class scientific research laboratory through our tours. A tour of the lab provides the opportunity to learn more about how our scientists are conducting research that is being applied to solve problems in the Chesapeake Bay region and around the globe. Tour participants will also gain insight on how individuals and families can take action as stewards of the Chesapeake Bay and other environmental resources.
Volunteering
Horn Point Laboratory provides a unique volunteer experience for individuals and groups, who like the outdoors, care about the bay, want to increase their knowledge about our Chesapeake environment, like to use their skills to help others, and want to be a member of a congenial and welcoming community.