Environmental Education

Smith Island Environmental Education Program

Located in Tylerton MD, the Smith Island Environmental Education Program emphasizes the culture and ecology of a Chesapeake fishing village.

Maryland
The Smith Island Environmental Education Center.
Caroline Phillips
The Smith Island Environmental Education Center

Directions | Program Overview (PDF) | Information for Parents & Guardians

Program Capacity: 30 participants (grade 6 and above).

Feel the wind on your face and the mud between your toes at CBF’s Smith Island Environmental Education Center! Our Smith Island Environmental Education Program in Tylerton, Maryland integrates island culture with the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. Steeped in Chesapeake lore and heritage, Smith Island provides the ideal experience to achieve trans-disciplinary learning. Housed in two of Tylerton’s original structures, this center allows participants to experience a traditional watermen’s society where people’s livelihoods are completely dependent on a healthy Bay. The community’s history, simplicity, and natural beauty make it truly unique. While using inquiry based learning techniques and S.T.E.M. practices we will explore wetlands, underwater grass beds, oyster reefs, and the open Bay.

The buildings have electricity, central air and heating systems, and running water. Facilities include dorm-style bedrooms, living rooms, dining room, outside porches, and a full kitchen with a stove, microwave, refrigerator, and oven. Dorm facilities are divided between the two buildings. One bedroom of eight and one bedroom of six in the Mullins House. One bedroom of eight and two bedrooms of six in the Bay House. Boats include 11 canoes, a 21′ Carolina skiff; and the Susquehanna, a 42′ U.S. Coast Guard inspected vessel.

Bring the watershed to life before and after your CBF Student Field Program using our curated list curriculum-based Resources for Teachers and Students.  

Meet Our Team

Meet our passionate team of experts, dedicated to inspiring future Bay stewards through hands-on learning and unforgettable experiences.
View All People
  • Education

    Jessie Marsh

    Smith Island Captain/Educator

  • Education

    Rachel Muth

    Smith Island Program Manager/Educator

  • Ryan Yates.
    Education

    Ryan Yates

    Smith Island Assistant Program Manager/Educator

Related Resources

Explore our resources to learn more about the Bay and how you can help protect it.
View All Resources
Resource Directions to Smith Island Environmental Education Center
Find detailed directions to CBF's Smith Island Environmental Education Center here.
Resource Resources for Teachers and Students
Dive into environmental education resources about the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers, and streams, including blogs, videos, student investigations, and more. Perfect for teachers, parents, and students in the classroom and at home.
Resource Student Field Programs Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most commonly asked questions about CBF's Student Field Programs.
Resource Information for Parents and Guardians
These are the forms that your child will need (including health forms and packing lists) for our one-day and residential (overnight) programs.
Resource Safety and Educator Certification
We are committed to the safety of all our participants.
Resource Apply for a Student Field Program
CBF Education offers one-day and multi-day field programs for students and teachers to get outside with us and learn about the Bay, its rivers, and streams.

Related Stories

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    As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of CBF's award-winning Education programs, we reflect that the first way to get young people to care about the Bay is to let them experience it.

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    Our Bay, the Perfect Classroom

    As Virginia teacher Tonya Humphrey knows first-hand, environmental education is critically important to her students and their futures

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