As part of our mission to better understand and protect the Potomac-Chesapeake bottlenose dolphins and their ecosystem, we make it a priority to promote environmental stewardship through sound education and community outreach.
Kate Jin, Dr. Janet Mann, and Desiarae Cambrelen collecting data aboard Ahoya. This was Kate's first day out on the water learning to collect data for her synchrony project!
Student Education
Graduate and undergraduate students are involved in the PCDP, both in the field and at Georgetown University.
Some students work on specific research projects, while others assist in processing general project data.
A notable project is by Kate Jin, an undergraduate, who developed a senior thesis on mother-calf synchrony and presented it at the European Cetacean Society's annual conference in Funchal, Madeira.
Ann-Marie, Associate Director of PCDP and Duke University graduate student, researches population dynamics and other projects for her PhD.
Undergraduate students play a crucial role in processing photographs, coding them for valuable data, and helping match dolphins to the Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog.
Student Opportunities
We are always looking for passionate students, not limited to Georgetown University, to join the project.
Students interested in joining can fill out a quick questionnaire.
Community Outreach
First Field Season (July-October 2015):
Dr. Janet Mann gave a research seminar, exciting locals about the project.
Residents participated in learning about and naming dolphins.
Ongoing Outreach:
Collaborations with Potomac Conservancy and Potomac River Fisheries Commission.
Encouraging community involvement by reporting dolphin sightings.
2019 naming contest and fundraiser with Potomac Conservancy, reaching millions through media and social media.
Explore more of our community outreach events below:
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Presentation to the DC Climate Change & Resiliency Knowledge Forum and Exchange: Government of the District of Columbia Commission on Climate (January)
Potomac Conservancy Riverside Chat; Washington, DC (May 17)
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Presentation to Women in STEM (WiSTEM); St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, IL (December 1)
Guest lecture, Greg Silber's Marine Mammals Course; Chincoteague Bay Field Station
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Profs and Pints, Dolphins of the Potomac; Washington, DC (January 26)
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Potomac Conservancy naming contest and fundraiser (April)
Community Talk for Potomac Conservancy (November 6)
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Community Lecture sponsored by the Potomac Conservancy and Patagonia; Washington, DC
Community Lecture sponsored by Palisades Village; Washington, DC
Washington Post Op-Ed (April 13)
Feature on public television documentary "Outdoors Maryland" (November 20)
Presentation to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission on the PCDP (December 7)
Raising Awareness
Public awareness through media collaborations, including NPR's Morning Edition and social media attention from figures like Chelsea Clinton.
Educating the larger public about dolphins in the local environment.
Get Involved
Community members can contribute photos, sighting data, and GPS information on dolphin sightings.
The public has a critical role in helping track wide-ranging dolphins.
For reported sightings of bottlenose dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay, visit chesapeakedolphinwatch.org.
Consider donating to our project so we can continue learning about our local dolphins!