phillips wharf environmental center

It was designed to teach visitors about the Chesapeake Bay animals and how we can care for them and the Bay. Very cool. There are turtles, oysters, various fish, crabs, and eel in aquariums and it is right next door to a seafood cleaning business. The Center is in the process of expanding and redesigning the Center to reach more people and have classrooms, etc.

We took part in their "Pound it" program, all about the Chesapeake Bay pound net fishery; oyster dissection; and striped bass dissection. The staff was energetic and knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. This growing facility has a variety of local species on display, including horseshoe crabs (all sizes), turtles, blue crabs, and fishes. It's this kind of grass-roots environmental education facility that EVERYONE should be visiting while on vacation or with school groups. The Director, Kelley, runs a fantastic operation at PWEC. Her passion for the local environment and culture is palpable and contagious. Don't miss PWEC if you are visiting the St. Michaels/Tilghman area.

We took our kids, nieces, nephews here not knowing what to expect, and, we were very pleasantly surprised. There were various enclosures which had turtles, fish, crabs, etc. and an enthusiastic guide to explain all about them. We were able and encouraged to handle some of the turtles. The kids loved it. And, it was free. Well worth a visit if you have kids.

Can't say enough about this place. I took my 3 boys, ages 10, 10, and 8 to learn a little about the eastern shore. They had a blast. It is small, we only stayed about an hour, but learned sooooo much. We walked up to what appeared to be an old shack- inside was Rob, a retired school teacher who now volunteers at the center. He walked us from exhibit to exhibit telling us about the various fish, eels, sea horses, crabs, horseshoe crabs, countless turtle species, oysters, blowfish, and more. We held many of the turtles and crabs and had plenty of time to ask questions. It is about a 30 minute drive off of route 50, and it is every bit worth it. It is free, but all the work they do is driven by donations. If you like simple nature and hands on learning, check them out. Call before going though, they have unique hours.

A wonderful little environmental center - no bells and whistles - just a straightforward place that is helping the nature within the bay. The kids got to hold baby turtles and terrapins, and look at all sorts of crabs and even a sea horse or two.

We stayed on Tilghman Island where my mother recently moved this past August. Looking for something to pass the time we visited Phillips Wharf Environmental Center. This is a great place for kids of all ages to learn about Bay creatures. They even have a touching tank as well where you can handle some of the animals. If your little ones like learning, touching and seeing animals and you are looking for some family friendly fun head over to the Center and take a walk around. Staff is friendly and informative and the place runs on donations so while there is no fee to enter PLEASE Donate if you can to keep this place going. There isn't much for kids to do on the island so this hidden gem is well worth a visit.

The setting is Tilghman Island, a small fishing village at the end of a peninsula. Right over the draw bridge and make a left down a narrow road you will find a gravel drive that leads to a couple of buildings, not pretty. But don't judge the place on that. Outside there are some native plants and some large holding tanks containing animals: oysters, crabs, fish. A guide will tell you all about these animals and you can even touch them if you want. Inside there are fish tanks with various fish and turtles. The turtles are a hit wit the kids. They have baby terrapins that are easy to hold and larger ones that are a bit more scary for the kids, but they have funny faces to make them laugh. You can spend as little or as much time here as you want. Our guide was an intern studying marine biology in Virginia, here for a year to learn. She was very informative and helpful. Back outside we were able to pull up a crab pot and see some small animals that were captured within. The place is FREE, but please leave a donation in the jar to help feed the animals. Worth the drive from St. Michaels.

They have something called the Fishmobile for kids to check out. Not a huge place at all but worth visiting. Eco tours on a boat are offered. They were working on an Oyster House project. Hands on displays and turtles. Great info on the Chesapeake Bay environment.

This was a nice little place we found while bike riding. Make it one of your stops. Turtles and lots more to see with a guide.

Great history and many wonderful sites. The history of the town is lovely. I intend to return to learn more...

A great organization that offers a handful of hands on displays of Chesapeake Bay waterlife as well as educational displays. Also offer Eco tours on a nice size boat and special events and events. The "fish mobile" is a converted school bus with educational programs for kids that travels around.

Every October, Phillips Wharf Environmental Center releases the animals that have been in its touch tanks and aquariums all summer back into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. It's great to see little kids carrying live horseshoe crabs to the water's edge and releasing them.

Great people, great little place. Little kids love it. Staff very into environment and teaching people about the area. Tour only take 20-30 min.

We decided to go to the Environmental Center so our small kids would be entertained for a bit. It is a small place but the employee working was FULL of knowledge. There are lots of different animals to be seen and some can even be touched/held. The staff took time out to walk us through the exhibit and teach us about the animals and their habitat. It was educational for all of us, and touching the animals was a great delight for my 2 year old. This is a free attraction that accepts donations.