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
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:
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“Extra Eyes: using computer vision to enhance dolphin health in the Potomac River” article by associated researcher, Colin Murphy on his research and publication in the Potomac Conservancy’s River Blog (February 2)
PCDP at the Virginia Osprey Foundation’s Osprey Festival with a presentation on the historical presence of dolphins in the Potomac River by Associate Director (Colonial Beach, VA (April)
Panel at The Ned, Washington DC for the Potomac Conservancy (April)
Dr. Janet Mann and Dr. Ann-Marie Jacoby featured in Maryland State Circle on PBS (April 24)
“Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay Dolphins need Clean Water” by Dr. Janet Mann for Reservoir Blog (June 25)
PCDP outreach booth at Kinsale Waterman’s Market (Kinsale, VA, June)
“‘Fin’ Favorites: Updates on Potomac dolphins you named!” written by Arielle Solomon about the two dolphins the public named in 2019 in the Potomac Conservancy’s River Blog (July 1)
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“A Dolphin’s Life” presentation at the Explorer’s Club Roundtable Series (Cosmos Club, April)
“The Life and Mind of a Dolphin: From Australia to the Potomac River” presentation by Dr. Janet Mann at John Carrol Weekend: Thinking Forward (Philadelphia, April 4)
“Faculty Highlights: Janet Mann, Ph.D. (Depts of Biology and Psychology)” highlight of Director, Dr. Janet Mann in Georgetown Scientific Research Journal
“The lives and minds of Potomac dolphins” presentation by Dr. Janet Mann and PhD candidate Verena Conkin at Profs and Pints, Penn Social. (April 22)
“Seasonal Journeys, Deadly Breaths: Tracking Dolphin Disease Spread” by The Earth Commons at Georgetown University feature on Dr. Melissa Collier and her research (June 30)
“Dolphins in the Potomac River? There are a lot more than you think” feature by The Washington Post on the Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project and PhD Candidate Verena Conkin’s field season and research (August 3)
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“Dolphins in the Potomac? For This Georgetown Professor, It’s Her Life’s Work” by Georgetown University about our project and Director, Dr. Janet Mann (June 7)
“They’re Coming Out” by Irresistible Magazine featuring Director, Dr. Janet Mann (June 27)
“Searching for for Dolphins in the Potomac River” by Georgetown University featuring the project and Director, Dr. Janet Mann (July 26)
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Director Dr. Janet Mann featured in The New York Times (January 31)
Palisades Village Seminar by Director Dr. Janet Mann , Washington DC. (March)
Profs and Pints lecture by Director Dr. Janet Mann, Washington DC. (May)
River Run arts and scientific exhibits at The Kennedy Center, Washington DC. (June)
Potomac Riverkeeper Network Field Trip on the Potomac to see dolphins (July)
Director Dr. Janet Mann interviewed on Eagle Haven podcast (August 7)
“A Dive into Dolphin Data: The History of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Potomac River” by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History’s Ocean publication (October)
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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)
“Dolphins’ playful social habits form bonds but spread virus” in the Associated Press (April 7)
Feature in the Baltimore Sun (April 7)
Potomac Conservancy Riverside Chat; Washington, DC (May 17)
Feature in the Bay Journal (June 13)
Feature in the Star Democrat (July 14)
Potomac Riverkeeper Network Field Trip on the Potomac to see dolphins
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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)
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.
Please report dolphin sightings in the Potomac River here!
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