The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science harnesses the power of science to transform the way society understands and manages the environment. By conducting cutting-edge research into today's most pressing environmental problems, the Center is developing new ideas to help guide our state, nation, and world toward a more environmentally sustainable future. Comprised of the Appalachian Laboratory in the mountains of western Maryland, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory at the mouth of the Patuxent River, the Horn Point Laboratory on the Eastern Shore, the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore, and the Maryland Sea Grant College located in College Park, UMCES excels in bringing together interdisciplinary scientific studies in its pursuit of greater understanding about ecosystems and their natural processes. Each laboratory is strategically focused on specific areas of research, education and scientific application, making the Center among the only institutions in the world to examine a large ecosystem — the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed — in its entirety. This unique combination of global expertise and local relevance sets the Center apart from its peers. A leader in providing the research necessary for sound environmental management and efficient solutions to natural resource challenges, the Center’s faculty and graduates are sought around the world for their proficient research and conscientious advice.