Alliance for Coastal Technologies
The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) is a NOAA-funded partnership of research institutions, resource managers, and private sector companies dedicated to fostering the development and adoption of effective and reliable sensors and platforms. ACT is located at Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.
Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Founded in 2001, the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CHWA CESU) is a partnership among 28 research institutions and 9 federal agencies whose members strive to understand and protect the natural and cultural resources of the region. Research institution partners provide leadership in watershed science and stewardship with special emphasis on the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay.
Maritime Environmental Resource Center
MERC is a State of Maryland and US Maritime Administration initiative that provides test facilities, expertise, information, and decision tools to address key environmental issues facing the international maritime industry. Our primary focus is to evaluate the mechanical and biological efficacy, costs, and logistical aspects of ballast water treatment systems and to assess the economic impacts of ballast water regulations and management approaches. MERC has also recently established efforts to address other related issues, including ship biofouling, alternative fuels and air emissions.
Oyster Culture Facility
The Broddus and Margaret Ann Jones Oyster Culture Facility at Horn Point, one of the largest oyster hatcheries on the East Coast, produces a variety of oyster larvae for use in oyster research, oyster restoration, and educational projects.
Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center
The Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) is dedicated to accelerating scientific discovery at the interface of human and ecological systems. It supports new interdisciplinary collaborations that pursue data-driven solutions to pressing socio-environmental problems. SESYNC features a range of services from project inception through results dissemination, including supporting the team science process, meeting planning and facilitation, travel and logistical support, and cyberinfrastructure resources. SESYNC is funded by an award to the University of Maryland from the National Science Foundation.