This project involves transplanting mature eelgrass shoots to a site in Picnic Cove, off Shaw Island in the Salish Sea. Later, our project partners will collect, culture and scatter seeds from those shoots. This will give them a chance to see what methods show most promise for restoring eelgrass in the area.

Native eelgrass (Zostera marina) is the foundation of coastal ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. It provides critical habitat for fish, waterfowl, and invertebrates. It forms meadows that improve water quality and reduce erosion. And seagrass meadows are powerful carbon sinks. Over the past two decades, however, populations of these flowering marine plants have declined throughout the San Juan Archipelago. Scientists aren’t sure what has caused this decline.

Eelgrass has played an important role in the livelihoods and culture of the Northern Straits Coast Salish people, and a key part of this project is the involvement of the Coast Salish Youth Coalition. Native American youth will learn about eelgrass at the Friday Harbor Laboratory, and then take shoots kept there by eelgrass scientist Sandy Wyllie-Echeverria to plant in Picnic Cove. They will also learn about and celebrate the cultural role of eelgrass. The ceremonies on planting day will include singing, drumming, and recognition of eelgrass as a “first food.”