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.

Student Education

Katie Knotek, Melissa Collier, and Sarah Thiessen

Aboard Ahoya

Melissa Collier, Ann-Marie Jacoby, Grace Chung, and Marley Dooling

Attending the Potomac Riverkeeper’s Gala

Sarah Thiessen, Katie Knotek, Melissa Collier, Janet Mann, Ann-Marie Jacoby, and Ellen Jacobs

At a farmers market

Ellen Jacobs, Melissa Collier, Amelia Smith, and Sophie Hanson

Aboard Ahoya

Shea O'Day and Maia Van Biesen

Aboard Ahoya

Eric Patterson and Janet Mann

Aboard Ahoya

Darya Assil, Kelly Bates, and Arielle Solomon

Aboard Ahoya

Verena Conkin

Presenting her research at Georgetown University’s Biology Department’s Graduate Research Seminar

Karina Long

Driving Ahoya

PCDP is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and conservationists. We have involved 50 students in our work including undergraduates, post-baccalaureates, graduate students, and post-graduate fellows.

Students are often encouraged pursue their own research projects and publish their findings. Students also frequently present at professional conferences.

Community Outreach

We like to be involved in the Northern Neck community and beyond. We welcome any opportunity to share our project with others.

Explore some of our community outreach events below:

- 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)
- 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
- Profs and Pints, Dolphins of the Potomac; Washington, DC (January 26)
- Potomac Conservancy naming contest and fundraiser (April)
- Community Talk for Potomac Conservancy (November 6)
- 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)

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!
We are always looking for passionate students, not limited to Georgetown University, to join the project.
Students interested in joining can email us at pcdolphinproject@gmail.com