The first batch of eelgrass seed clams have been planted on the bottom of Great South Bay! SAVE Environmental is in need of more clams for another round of planting, so we’ll be hosting a second workshop. This method was invented to increase germination rates in order to restore eelgrass meadows. By releasing the clams with the eelgrass seed attached, the clams will naturally burrow themselves into the sand, positioning the seed in the ideal location for growth.  Eelgrass is essential to a healthy ecosystem by providing nursery habitat for juvenile fish, providing habitat for seahorses, stabilizing sediment, combating erosion and sequestering carbon (captured as “blue carbon”). Join us to be a “submerged aquatic vegetation engineer” on this exciting innovative project.

Volunteers gluing eelgrass (Zostera marina) seeds to live clams to help restore underwater meadow habitat

 

 

WHAT TO BRING/FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS:

• Please wear closed toed shoes
• Any questions you may have about eelgrass or using shellfish for planting!