Last week, we partnered with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County for our third third event engaging volunteers in restoring the Sound’s submerged aquatic vegetation – eelgrass. Friday’s event took place at the Clinton Town Marina.
We had a great turnout of local volunteers who wove eelgrass shoots together into biodegradable burlap planting discs.
After the discs were assembled, CCE SCUBA divers took the units for planting in Long Island Sound.
These plantings will result in a new “marine meadow” that provides essential fish habitat, prevents erosion and helps keep the Sound clear of sediments.
Photo: CCE
Last week’s event was part of CCE’s Marine Meadows Program, the purpose of which is to restore eelgrass, the dominant local seagrass found in the Sound. Eelgrass has decreased drastically over the past 75 years. The Marine Meadows Program was developed in spring of 2011 and gives participants the opportunity to learn about the biology and importance of eelgrass while participating in hands-on restoration efforts.
Posted by Rebecca Kaplan, director of communications for CFE/Save the Sound