Eelgrass Restoration in the San Juan Islands

Our restoration program is entering an exciting new phase. While our previous efforts were heavily focused on seed-based restoration, we are shifting our approach after many valuable lessons learned.

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A Transition Guided by Experience
For several years, our team focused on scaling up the practices and capacity associated with harvesting, storing, and planting large volumes of viable eelgrass seed, primarily utilizing our Eelgrass Cultivation System (ECS) at Friday Harbor Labs. Following a thorough review of these intensive seed-based trials—and adapting to a shifting federal and state funding landscape—we have made the strategic decision to transition away from large-scale seed operations.

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For those interested in the scientific data, challenges, and outcomes of our three-year effort, our final technical reports are available for download in the Eelgrass Publications from our Partners section of this webpage.

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The Next Chapter: Seagrass Strolls
With these lessons in hand, we are excited to pivot to a mature-shoot transplant initiative that is low-impact, lower-cost, and highly focused: Seagrass Strolls.

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Rather than processing seeds in a laboratory environment, this pilot program focuses on the community-powered collection and transplanting of healthy, storm-cast eelgrass shoots found washed up along our shorelines. Our goal is to build a citizen-science-based effort that directly connects the San Juan Island community with hands-on, highly accessible shoreline restoration.

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Our Ongoing Commitment
Though the physical scale of our program operations is winding down, our core mission remains unchanged. We hope to continue to share ecological knowledge, foster community connection, and play an active, collaborative role in the integration of eelgrass restoration efforts throughout the Salish Sea.