Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory

The Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory is located near the Patuxent River (part of Chesapeake Bay watershed) in Saint Leonard, Maryland. Research conducted at the state-of-the art facility is designed to increase the understanding of coastal ecosystems so that they may be properly managed and protected. Much of the work is focused on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, such as the Patuxent River.

The mission of the Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL) is to provide society with the knowledge to solve its environmental challenges through research, education, and economic development.