Volunteers Needed to Help Plant Eelgrass in Morro Bay
Morro Bay National Estuary Program and partners are seeking volunteers to help with the Morro Bay Eelgrass Recovery Program. Working alongside eelgrass restoration specialists, professional divers, and Estuary Program staff, volunteers will be part of an effort to improve the health of the Morro Bay estuary. This year's goal is to plant 8,000 bundles of eelgrass across a two-acre area on the bay floor. Volunteers will work two-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on planting days, Aug. 19 – 24.
Helpers won't even need to get their feet wet. Most volunteers will work at tall tables set up on the beach, assembling bundles of eelgrass that will be planted by divers. Volunteer divers are also needed. Participants will gain an inside look at the science and planning involved in helping to restore eelgrass in Morro Bay. Eelgrass beds are considered to be one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, providing valuable protective habitat for sea life.
To sign up as a volunteer, or to learn more about the Morro Bay Eelgrass Recovery Program, visit Morro Bay National Estuary Program is a non-regulatory, non-profit organization that brings together citizens, local government, non-profits, agencies, and landowners to protect and restore the Morro Bay Estuary for people and wildlife. The Estuary Program conducts monitoring and research, restores natural habitats, and educates residents and visitors on how to keep Morro Bay clean and healthy.
