According to the Chesapeake Bay 2026 Hypoxia Forecast produced by scientists at William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS, the Bay's annual "dead zone" is expected to be one of the mildest in recent decades thanks to low river flows and reduced nitrogen levels.
Ghost forests have become haunting symbols of sea level rise overtaking land along the Mid-Atlantic coast. But a new study in Nature Sustainability led by William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS points to even more dramatic land losses in the region’s coastal farmlands, where the rate of marsh encroachment is happening nearly twice as fast.
New research shows that lobster eggs host surprisingly diverse microbiomes that change as the embryos develop, potentially providing a source of resilience against future environmental changes for one of North America's most valuable fisheries.
Research out of William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS brings together scientists, shellfish farmers and community planners to prepare for environmental challenges related to ocean and coastal acidification (OCA) in the Chesapeake Bay.
Days before hosting their ninth annual Lesson Plan Expo, organizers at the Virginia Science & Educators Alliance (VA SEA) learned they had won the 2026 Programs that Work Award from the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition.
The 2025 Awards Ceremony celebrated faculty, staff and students at the Batten School & VIMS.
Five graduate students from the Batten School & VIMS have been recognized with Graduate Research Fellowship Program awards and honorable mentions from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
New research from William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS shows the Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab has expanded its range almost 200 miles north, trading mangrove forests for temperate salt marshes along the southeastern U.S. coast.
W&M's Batten School & VIMS recently hosted the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) International Maritime Officer’s Course (IMOC), educating global maritime leaders on how science impacts real-world decisions on issues like pollution, fisheries enforcement and coastal hazards.
A new, interactive data platform developed as part of an undergraduate research project is transforming how scientists, managers, watermen and the public understand and manage Virginia’s wild oyster population.
A new Center of Excellence in Environmental Forecasting (CEEF) at William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS leverages institutional strengths to benefit coastal communities in Virginia and beyond.
A study led by W&M's Batten School & VIMS scientists revealed that microbial communities growing on microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay carry the genetic potential to remove nitrogen from the water and break down petroleum-related compounds. The study was selected by FEMS Microbiology Ecology as best paper of 2025.
A new organizational structure of the Office of Research & Advisory Services will empower the associate dean to work with scientists and agency leaders to develop forward-looking research strategy while collaborating closely with the new assistant dean, who will oversee advisory work.
High schoolers braved the bitter cold last weekend to compete in the 28th Blue Crab Bowl, Virginia’s regional program of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) hosted by William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS.
The marine policy sub-concentration at the Batten School & VIMS offers unique personal, academic and professional opportunities to develop as civic leaders and scientists. Through required coursework, students develop an understanding of policy structures, map out traditional legislative processes and visit with nonprofits as well as state and federal agencies.
A new conference expands Virginia Scientists & Educators Alliance to include in-person feedback and collaboration between Virginia educators and the graduate students developing lesson plans based on their current research.
New research by Batten School & VIMS scientists shows that oyster filter feeding can significantly reduce the spread of a common blue crab parasite.
In her new role as associate dean of research and advisory services at William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS, Megan La Peyre ’95 will support faculty, staff and students as they address complex coastal and marine challenges facing Virginia, the nation and the world.
Virginia Sea Grant welcomes Mona Behl as its new director. With over a decade of experience and achievements in the Sea Grant network, Behl brings with her an essential foundation to successfully lead Virginia Sea Grant.
A new collaboration between William & Mary and Old Dominion University researchers seeks develop an innovative bird-deterrence system that meets new federal sanitation guidelines for aquaculture farms while minimizing disruption to surrounding wildlife and coastal communities.
