In the first in-person After Hours lecture at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science since the pandemic began, Dr. David Malmquist, the school’s news and media director, spoke about his new book, which is filled with his explorations of the Chesapeake Bay region.

During last Thursday’s talk, which was held at Watermen’s Hall on the Gloucester Point campus, Malmquist said he was approached by Globe Pequot Press to write a book broadly about the Chesapeake Bay, including its history, culture, plants and animals. That led to the publication of his “Chesapeake Bay Explorer’s Guide: Natural History, Plants and Wildlife.”

“You don’t have to travel very far,” said Malmquist about the natural wonders of the bay region. In fact, Malmquist even conducted some of his research by taking his dog “Oliver” on their daily walks.

The Chesapeake Bay is home to more than 4,000 species and Malmquist wanted to focus on animals common to the bay and commonly encountered.

“Even though they’re ...