System Wide Monitoring Program

With over 25 sites that reflect the diverse coastal biogeographic regions of the Nation, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System is ideally suited for a long-term trend-monitoring program to address estuarine management issues. The System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) was created to identify and track short-term variability and long-term changes in representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds.

SWMP is a phased monitoring approach that focuses on three different ecosystem characteristics:

Abiotic Factors, including atmospheric, water quality (nutrients, contaminants, etc.) and physical parameters (salinity, tidal range, groundwater, freshwater inflow, bathymetry, etc.)
Biological Monitoring, including biodiversity habitat and population characteristics
Watershed and Land Use Classifications, including historic changes in spatial coverage and assessments of consumptive and non-consumptive uses

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - MD is working with government agencies in the Bay region to integrate their SWMP into the bay-wide water quality monitoring effort to assess shallow water habitats. This integrated effort will provide managers with information to help characterize water and habitat conditions and identify specific problem areas throughout the Bay's tidal waters. Data collected through this effort is available at www.eyesonthebay.net usually within one week of collection.

Additional information on the program can be found at these web sites:
http://nerrs.noaa.gov/Monitoring
http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu
http://www.ocrm.nos.noaa.gov/pdf/nerrswmp96-98.pdf

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Buds and Bark Tree ID02/17/2019 @ 1:00 pm-2:30 pmDeciduous trees can be tricky to identify in the winter because their leaves have fallen. Join us on a hike to identify some key characteristics to help you figure out which is which. Warm up by the fire with some hot chocolate afterwards!
Meet a Critter02/17/2019 @ 3:30 pm-4:30 pmCheck out one of our live critters up close while discovering what makes that animal special.
Plankton Monitoring Studies02/20/2019 @ 10:00 am-12:00 pmOur plankton citizen science project is a great opportunity for science-minded individuals to contribute to monitoring and research at the Center. Help is needed with collection, identification, and analysis of plankton samples. Interested individuals should contact the Center for introductory training.
Marsh Fairy Lanterns02/23/2019 @ 10:30 am-12:00 pmFanciful fairies are known to inhabit all sorts of places, including the marsh. Create a beautiful, decorative lantern that is reminiscent of the lush world of marsh fairies in the summer season.
Critter Dinner Time02/23/2019 @ 1:30 pm-2:30 pmWatch our turtles, amphibians and snakes eat while learning about these fascinating creatures.