Each year, in early March, the colorful Yellow Perch return to spawn in the Severn River headwaters, Severn Run. However, they fail to produce mature offspring, possibly due to disruption in their reproductive system and habitat caused by poor water quality. They clearly are trying to survive. SRA has been tracking the Yellow Perch laying their eggs sacks for the past three years.

But why are spawning adults compromised?

Find out from our guest speakers Alex MacLeod, a PhD student from the University of Maryland and Margaret Mcinty with Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Alex will discuss his research investigating mature fish using genetics, hormones and tissue changes to study the Yellow Perch in the Severn River. Margaret will discuss the history of land use and how development has affected aquatic habitat and water quality in the Severn River.