Also called “citizen science” or “participatory science”, community science takes place when the public voluntarily helps conduct scientific research. Community science participants help researchers collect important data, while building meaningful connections to the sanctuary and the surrounding communities in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

A gloved hand holds a pH test strip against a color scale.

Bacterial Monitoring

Visitors who come in contact with the water should be aware of bacterial levels and the potential for health concerns.

A person holds up a small silver fish on the beach.

BioBlitz

Each spring, the sanctuary holds a BioBlitz event as a part of the Washington DC-region City Nature Challenge.

A group of volunteers surveying submerged aquatic vegetation in Mallows

Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers

Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers provides volunteers with an opportunity to collect data on submerged aquatic vegetation.

A child looks at a guide book with pictures of sparrows

Other Opportunities

You can be a community scientist anytime you visit the sanctuary.