Eelgrass beds stabilize bottom sediment and serve as habitat for many marine creatures. Historically, disease and poor water quality have greatly reduced the amount of eelgrass growing in New England waterways. Recent water quality improvements from sewage treatment projects have created conditions more conducive to eelgrass survival. Under such circumstances, manual restoration of eelgrass can speed up the re-colonization process by decades.

Participation in this project by local citizens is welcome, not only for the practical help it provides, but to create a sense of ownership and stewardship among participants that will help ensure the long-term protection of this important resource. Also, various labor-intensive aspects of eelgrass restoration become much more feasible when volunteer assistance is utilized. In turn, volunteers can provide valuable knowledge about local conditions that can be of use to scientists. Volunteers who are versed in aquatic or non-aquatic disciplines will be welcomed: e.g., SCUBA divers, snorkelers, kayakers, shoreline assistants.

Boston Harbor (Mass Division of Marine Fisheries)

2007 Update!

We have another season of eelgrass work before us. We’re scaling back a bit this year, focusing on monitoring the grass we’ve planted over the last 2 years (which is doing great, by the way), so we aren’t using volunteers as much.

There are two basic tasks for which we need divers: harvesting and planting. For those of you new to the process, we transplant eelgrass much like you transplant flowers in your garden (except for the obvious difference that it’s under water). Harvest involves digging up small clumps of eelgrass with a trowel and collecting it in a dive bag (provided). Planting involves staking the shoots into the sand with a bent bamboo skewer to hold it in place until it can root. Dives are shallow (<15’), so you usually need extra weight. The harvests take place in Nahant, and we can either meet you there or bring you around in the boat from Weymouth (weather permitting). Planting takes place in Boston Harbor, and we launch from Weymouth.

We would generally start between 8 & 9 AM, and go til 2 or 3. We provide snacks, water, and t-shirts, and all harvest/planting-related equipment. You need to supply all your dive gear, including tanks (usually 2 needed).

Please let me know what dates you might be available and pass the word to any dive clubs or groups you’re in. Conversely, let me know if you want to be removed from the mailing list. I look forward to seeing some of you again this summer; hopefully we’ll get some new faces as well. Enjoy the lovely spring (well, not so lovely today…). Thanks a lot.

Check out http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/programsandprojects/hubline/eelgrass.htm#hub for the latest project update to see what we've been doing.

For additional information on this volunteer program contact Alison Leschen by phone (508-563-1779, ext 142) or e-mail (Alison.Leschen@state.ma.us).

Narragansett Bay (Save the Bay)

Spring 2007 Eelgrass Transplants!
We’ve increased our efforts this spring! Space for transplants on the M/V Alletta Morris are limited, so sign up early and often! We will work from 9am to 5pm and lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided.

A full day commitment is necessary for transplants but not for harvests.
Harvest volunteer opportunities include: diving, sorting, and kayaking
Transplant volunteer opportunities include: diving and supporting divers

If you are interested in signing up for dates, please contact
Sue Tuxbury: stuxbury@savebay.org or 401.272.3540 ext. 117