HISTORY
100 Years of Science
1925
Dr. Reginald Truitt founded the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, an out-growth of his research into managing the Bay’s fisheries to better understand factors causing a significant decline in oyster abundance in the Chesapeake Bay.
1930s
Since the 1930s, UMCES researchers have been tracking changes in Chesapeake Bay water quality, including daily measurements from the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory pier in the Patuxent River. This type of long-term data collection, monitoring, and analysis is critical to improving our understanding of our natural world and helping us better understand how our environment is changing.
1940s
Since the 1940s, UMCES scientists have been tracking the population of blue crabs and striped bass. The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is recognized for its fundamental research on life cycles and ecology of Chesapeake fish and shellfish populations and for working with state and regional managers to improve the sustainability of fisheries.
1962
The Appalachian Laboratory was founded in the mountains of western Maryland at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Faculty there study the effects of land-use change on the freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems of the region, how they function in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and how human activity may influence their health and sustainability.
1972
Since 1972 the Horn Point Laboratory, along the Choptank River on the Eastern Shore, has advanced society’s understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems. Its faculty are widely respected for their inter-disciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling.
1973
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, then known as the Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, was created to link the mission and operations of the Appalachian Laboratory, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, and the Horn Point Laboratory. The new center was charged with a unique statutoray mandate to “conduct a comprehensive program to develop and apply predictive ecology for Maryland to the improvement and preservation of the physical environment.”
1974
The oyster cultivation facility opened in 1974 at Horn Point Laboratory. One of the largest oyster hatcheries on the East Coast, it produces oyster larvae for use in research, restoration, and educational projects. State-of-the art advances have led to record-breaking numbers of spat-on-shell being used to help restore the Bay’s natural ecosystem.
1980s
In the 1980s UMCES scientists made the initial discovery that the Bay was suffering from an excess of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, causing the increase in algae blooms that diminished seagrasses, depleted oxygen levels, and caused ‘dead zones.’ This led to a multi-state commitment to reduce nutrient inputs and evolved into a cornerstone issue for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
1981
In 1981, UMCES’ first student graduated from the Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences program, continuing a long line of master’s and doctoral students to be trained side-by-side with renowned scientists to be the next generation of environmental stewards.
Since the 1980s
UMCES scientists have been studying Maryland’s stream ecosystems, including the impact of mining on stream health and and the sustainability of brook trout.
1999
Maryland Sea Grant, a state-wide program of the University System of Maryland, came under the administration of UMCES. The Congressionally mandated federal and state partnership supports research, education and outreach that address coastal and marine issues in Maryland, the region, and the world.
2000s
UMCES researchers identified increasing sea level rise, increasing water temperatures, and shifts in animal and plant populations as part of the regional impacts of global climate change.
2002
The Integration and Application Network was formed to assess progress on Chesapeake Bay restoration and update citizens on progress through annual report cards, website, and publications now extending around the world.
2009
UMCES launched a state-of-the-art research vessel Rachel Carson specifically designed to help understand and monitor the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers. It is used by a wide variety of academic, private, and governmental agencies to research pivotal envi-ronmental issues and advance new technologies.
2010s
With state and non-governmental partners, UMCES began producing the spat used in large scale oyster sanctuaries. These sanctuaries have full grown reefs that are naturally producing larvae increasing spat set throughout the regions of the sanctuaries.
2010
UMCES scientists joined researchers from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the University of Maryland, Baltimore to create the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) in Baltimore. Scientists are engaged in cutting-edge research in microbiology, molecular genetic analysis, and biotechnology to better understand human health, develop alternative energy, foster sustainable aquaculture, bioremediation, and restore critical coastal environments.
2013
Long involved in teaching and mentoring students, UMCES was authorized to award joint degrees with the University of Maryland College Park in 2013 and earned accreditation in 2016. Graduate students go on to successful careers in government agencies, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.
2020
The Office of Professional Studies is established as a critical component of UMCES’ educational mission, providing innovative, non-credit programs through globally recognized professional certificates, specialized skills-based courses, and Maryland State Department of Education-approved K-12 continuing professional development.
2023
UMCES launches the Chesapeake Global Collaboratory initiative designed to leverage the power of big data, collaboration, and community engagement to accelerate solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
Coming 2025
Coming in February 2025, the comprehensive history of UMCES, Predictive Ecology: The History of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science 1925–2025 by UMCES president emeritus, Donald Boesch. Available through the Maryland Sea Grant Bookstore.
