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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Closeup of a handful of river herring underwater swimming toward the viewer, with silver bodies, yellow faces and beady black eyes.

American Icons: Reviving the River Herring

Previously millions strong, the river herring have nearly gone belly-up. But not all hope is lost.

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American Icons: A Toast to The White Oak

From bourbon barrels to sea battles, white oaks are among the most significant trees in American history—and they need our help.

A lionfish with elongated spines and red and white stripes swims through a reef.

Eight of the Worst Marine Invaders, According to Scientists

Lionfish, mitten crabs and "sea vomit." Meet eight marine species inadvertently brought to new territory that are taking the aquatic world by storm.

Yellow fish swim in front of coral reef

Too Many Coral Restorations Fail. Treating Them Like Experiments Could Help Them Succeed.

Scientists suggest a new framework for coral restoration that could help safeguard them in a warming world

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Tech Titans NC Helps Excavate Archaeologists From Mountains of Paperwork

How eight middle schoolers and their coach turned a student challenge into a real-world rescue for researchers

Andre Rovai measures mangrove growth in forest

Meet the Scientist Uncovering How Mangroves Can Help the U.S. Military

Smithsonian ecologist Andre Rovai studies how mangroves fight sea level rise, protecting military installations on the coast.

Over a dozen blue crabs with red pincers piled in a wooden basket

Cannibalism Takes Major Bite Out of Young Blue Crabs, but the Shallows Offer a Refuge

Smithsonian study finds juvenile crabs rely on shrinking shallow-water habitats to escape cannibalism by adults

Close-up of a bright green patch of seagrass under bright blue water

Eight Weird Facts About Seagrass (and Why It’s Essential)

Fact one: It's not seaweed.

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