Tour the Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory, or PEARL, a state-of-the-art facility that includes a controlled sea-water system and a 512-square-foot shellfish hatchery, located along the Patuxent River near St. Leonard, Maryland. PEARL’s focus on research increases our understanding of coastal ecosystems, and that knowledge is used to properly manage and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. This hatchery is important to the aquaculture industry by providing a reliable supply of oyster larvae and spat. These are used by local watermen and others in the oyster harvesting business, responding to the aquaculture industry’s need for creating private oyster hatcheries in the state of Maryland. Hatcheries make for more sustainable shellfish farming, relying less on the impacts of nature’s unpredictable wild spat sets. After touring the hatchery, we will stop at their dockside facilities with opportunities to speak with researchers and also visit a beach along the Patuxent River to discuss the river and its important habitats. Here is a great video explaining what they do: https://www.facebook.com/MorganStPEARL/videos/1117235075775857 . Bring a lunch and drink for a picnic, too. Please note that face masks are required in certain areas of the facility and visitors need to bring their own masks. Wear comfortable walking clothing and shoes/boots – please note that you may get wet and sandy at the beach. For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.