Open to the Public
The following workshop and field trips are open to the public and will take place on Thursday, July 16, 2026. There are a limited number of seats for these activities and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. The workshop will take place at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina located at 100 Heron Blvd. US-50, Cambridge, MD 21613. Field trips that include transportation will meet at the Hyatt; other trips will provide meeting point details after registration.
Explore the natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and living history of Cambridge and the Chesapeake Bay region. Whether you're looking for adventure on the water or a more reflective walk through marshland and wildlife refuge, there is something for everyone. Sign up for a local field trip to connect with nature, discover the wonders of the Eastern Shore, and get inspired by this iconic American waterway. The Bay is calling!
EXPLORING BLACKWATER
Explore Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to learn about the Eastern Shore’s marshland ecosystem, wildlife, and seasonal changes. Spot bald eagle nests, herons hunting, turtles basking, songbirds fluttering in the meadows, and more while learning about natural and cultural history of Dorchester County, Maryland.
Cost Per Person: $10
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Transportation: On Own
Lunch: Not needed
Age Limit: None
Accessibility: This field trip includes walking through two visitor centers as well as a guided walk on a wildlife trail in the refuge with uneven ground up to 3 miles.
BIRDING WITH AUDUBON
Explore over 150 acres of restored habitat at Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Along the way, you’ll discover which birds benefit from these changes - spotting grassland species, waders like glossy ibis, forest birds, and the living shoreline along tidal Pickering Creek.
Cost Per Person: $50
Time: 8:00 am-12:45 pm
Transportation: Provided
Lunch: Not needed
Age Limit: None
Accessibility: This field trip is a guided walk on the birding trail with uneven ground up to 3 miles.
RESILIENCY ON THE EASTERN SHORE
Discover how science meets the shoreline with a tour of the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL) with hosts from the NOAA Environmental Science Training Center, followed by a guided walk through Oxford highlighting real-world resiliency projects addressing sea-level rise and environmental changes (and a stop by the world famous Highland Creamery). This field trip offers a behind-the-scenes look at research, community planning, and innovative solutions protecting coastal towns.
Cost Per Person: $50
Time: 8:00 am-2:30 pm
Transportation: Provided
Lunch: Provided
Age Limit: None
Accessibility: This field trip includes an indoor lab tour and a guided walk through the town of Oxford totaling 1.2 miles on paved terrain.
Image credit, above left: NOAA
POPLAR ISLAND TOUR
Enjoy a scenic 30-minute boat trip to Poplar Island, followed by a 2-hour guided bus tour highlighting the beneficial use of dredged material for habitat restoration, salt-marsh habitat, island history, and an overview of construction efforts on the island. You'll get to see science in action and meet with the researchers in the field!
Cost Per Person: $45
Time: 7:45 am-1:00 pm
Transportation: Provided
Lunch: Not needed
Age Limit: None
Accessibility: While this is a low-energy activity, it would require the passengers to travel from the vehicle to the boat launch over uneven ground. The climb in and out of the boat will require some maneuverability. Participants will be transported across the island by vehicle getting out at various stops to engage with researchers.
Blue Technology Education Workshop
Time: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Location: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina, Cutter A/B
Transportation: Not needed
Lunch: Provided
Cost per person: $50
Dive into innovation at the first Blue Technology Education Workshop, hosted by NOAA Ocean Exploration at the 2026 NMEA Annual Conference in Cambridge, MD! This full-day professional development opportunity is designed for early-career educators eager to bring the excitement of ocean engineering and exploration technology into their classrooms.
