Programs, Events, & Volunteers
Upcoming Events
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Community Survey
Underwater grasses, or submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), play a vital role in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. These grasses provide food and habitat for wildlife, improve water clarity, increase oxygen levels, absorb excess nutrients, and help reduce shoreline erosion.
Join us for a special one-day volunteer event where we'll survey SAV within Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary to help assess the overall health of the ecosystem and SAV's relationship to the famous Ghost Fleet. This event is led in partnership with Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers—a community science program that trains volunteers to monitor and report on SAV across the Bay.
Participants will receive hands-on training in the morning to learn how to identify SAV species and coverage. After a lunch break on the lawn, volunteers will head out in tandem kayaks to collect data on SAV growth and abundance in the sanctuary.
No prior scientific experience is needed—just an interest in SAV and a willingness to learn! Prior kayaking experience is helpful but not required. Tandem kayaks and personal flotation devices (PFDs) will be provided. Registration is required, ages 14 and older. All minors MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Date and time: Saturday, August 29th, 10am - 3pm
Location: Mallows Bay Park (1440 Wilson Landing Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662)
Registration is limited to the first 20 sign-ups. Additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a spot becomes available.
Things to bring:
- A packed lunch
- Reusable water bottle (no glass bottles) and snacks
- Wear proper footwear. No flip-flops. Old gym shoes, sandals with a strap, and water shoes work great.
- Dry Bag or waterproof container for personal belongings
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
- Towel or foldable chair (to sit on during training and lunch)
- Change of clothes
Contact mallows.bay@noaa.gov for questions or concerns.
Be a Volunteer
All national marine sanctuaries rely on the energy and passion of volunteers and there are many ways to be involved. Check this page for information about upcoming events, and learn more about our many community science volunteer programs here. To add your name to our list of interested volunteers or to inquire about other opportunities, please reach out to mallows.bay@noaa.gov
Force Blue
Force Blue is a volunteer organization that unites two worlds by helping veterans and helping the environment. A team from Force Blue volunteered to conduct an initial survey of the subaquatic vegetation in Mallows Bay - Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. The data that they collected provides much needed information on the various species and the health of the sanctuary.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation enhances national marine sanctuaries in their goal to protect essential U.S. marine areas and to ensure a healthy ocean.