The Virginia Institute of Marine Science - a school we love!
It's amazing to stop and think about the organizations in our community, many located just around the corner from Phillips Energy offices, making worldwide impact.
Like VIMS.
Among the largest marine research and education centers in the United States, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has a three-part mission.
As the graduate school in marine science for the College of William & Mary, VIMS' mission is to conduct interdisciplinary research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and citizens, and provide advisory service to policy makers, industry and the public.
Founded in 1940 as the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory in Yorktown, VIMS is home to the longest-running annual shark survey, was a leader in establishing the national Sea Grant and Coastal Zone Management programs and has conducted seminal research of shellfish that remains influential today.
In 1950, the former VIMS location was moved to Gloucester Point to make way for the Coleman Bridge.
Currently located near the mouth of the York River (near where many of our boating customers use the Gloucester Point Beach ramp to drop their vessels), VIMS is situated at a major tributary and passageway to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. VIMS also has two satellite campuses, the Eastern Shore Laboratory and the Kauffman Aquaculture Center.
Roughly 500 people, including faculty, staff and students, are engaging in the VIMS mission and working to research and benefit marine science.
During the 70-year history of VIMS, it has “developed unique capabilities in people, practices and infrastructure.” These capabilities have allowed VIMS to provide “honest, unbiased science and guidance needed to help address the pressing issues facing our rivers, estuaries, coasts and ocean.”
VIMS work includes offering community programs throughout the Hampton Roads and lower Chesapeake Bay region, like the “Seafood Symposia,” “Discovery Labs,” “Science Under Sails,” among other educating and fascinating programs.
Programs and dates for future events can be found here.
More information about the history, mission and events of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science can be found online here.
At Phillips Energy, we're honored to help provide the fuel VIMS needs to make their mission possible.
