MCAS Community Program - MAY 21st - Eelgrass Recovery

MBNEP Volunteer, Marc Couacaud, helps harvest eelgrass near Coleman Beach for transplanting in February 2018. Photo Credit: Vince Cicero

MBNEP staff and volunteers transplant
eelgrass in Morro Bay in February 2018. 
Photo Credit: Carolyn Geraghty
 MCAS Community Program: 

Building Partnerships to Inform Eelgrass Recovery in Morro Bay

Presented by Carolyn Geraghty, Restoration Projects Manager, Morro Bay National Estuary Program

When:  Monday, May 21st7:00 pm
Where:SLO Botanical Garden, Oak Glen Pavilion, El Chorro Regional Park

Carolyn Geraghty of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program will discuss how the Estuary Program and partners have used an adaptive management approach to monitoring, restoration, and applied science to better understand eelgrass recovery in the estuary. The Morro Bay estuary was once abundant with eelgrass (Zostera marina) but has experienced a dramatic decline. Carolyn will present results from experimental plantings and seeding efforts, which have refined their understanding of the most suitable methods, locations, and season for planting. Presentation results will also draw from Cal Poly research and observations by John Roser on water quality and biological impacts (e.g., brant geese) to eelgrass.

California Conservation Corps member, 
Tim Scully, helps the MBNEP 
transplant eelgrass in March 2018. 
Photo Credit: Carolyn Geraghty
All MCAS programs are free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.