Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
Otter Point Creek Component
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - MD
What is the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center?
The Anita C. Leight Estuary Center is the research and education facility of the Reserve, which
is located in the Otter Point Creek component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve in Maryland. The Estuary Center is dedicated to increasing appreciation and understanding
of estuaries. Long-term studies provide insights into bay ecology and management.
Education based on this research fosters public support of these vital estuarine
ecosystems.
What is the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve?
The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - MD is part of a
reserve system established by Congress in 1972 to protect estuarine areas as natural field
laboratories for long-term research and monitoring. There are three components in the Maryland
reserve: Monie Bay, Jug Bay, and Otter Point Creek. The Otter Point Creek component consists of
Leight Park and the Bosely Conservancy.
Hours of Operation
The Anita C. Leight Estuary Center and Leight Park:
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
(Gates close promptly at 5:00 p.m.)
The Bosely Conservancy:
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
(There are no facilities except a parking lot.)