Eelgrass Restoration in the Squamish Estuary
Presentation Abstract
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) was historically present in the Squamish Estuary and Squamish Nation has anecdotal knowledge of it's presence. However, from the early 1900's to the early 21st century logging, urban development, and industry heavily impacted eelgrass beds. From 2003 to the present local conservation groups have been working to restore eelgrass beds to the Squamish Estuary and upper Howe Sound and work to establish protection around this important habitat. The eelgrass restoration project in the Squamish Estuary is the result of partnerships between non-profit organizations, First Nations, Municipalities, and various levels of government, business, and industry. The result of reestablishing these eelgrass beds has not just been one of ecological importance but also a socio-economic benefit including a gathering point for community pride. Local elementary school students learn about eelgrass, it's ecology and importance; community volunteers participate in eelgrass transplants and learn first hand about the sub-tidal ecosystem; First Nations benefit from the ecological diversity that enhances the fisheries including herring, salmon, char and other species; and the business and industrial communities help to map and enhance the shorelines in order to better protect eelgrass and the stability it provides to the foreshore. The Squamish River Watershed Society became one of many partners to the Seagrass Conservation Working Group back in 2001 and has been working hard ever since to restore, educate, map and monitor eelgrass. Eelgrass has, in many ways, become an icon to what local community groups can accomplish through outreach, networking, and partnerships.
Session Title
Session S-07E: Aquatic Vegetation
Conference Track
Habitat
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 6:30 PM
Location
Room 6C
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Eelgrass--British Columbia--Squamish; Estuarine restoration--British Columbia--Squamish
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Squamish (B.C.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Eelgrass Restoration in the Squamish Estuary
Room 6C
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) was historically present in the Squamish Estuary and Squamish Nation has anecdotal knowledge of it's presence. However, from the early 1900's to the early 21st century logging, urban development, and industry heavily impacted eelgrass beds. From 2003 to the present local conservation groups have been working to restore eelgrass beds to the Squamish Estuary and upper Howe Sound and work to establish protection around this important habitat. The eelgrass restoration project in the Squamish Estuary is the result of partnerships between non-profit organizations, First Nations, Municipalities, and various levels of government, business, and industry. The result of reestablishing these eelgrass beds has not just been one of ecological importance but also a socio-economic benefit including a gathering point for community pride. Local elementary school students learn about eelgrass, it's ecology and importance; community volunteers participate in eelgrass transplants and learn first hand about the sub-tidal ecosystem; First Nations benefit from the ecological diversity that enhances the fisheries including herring, salmon, char and other species; and the business and industrial communities help to map and enhance the shorelines in order to better protect eelgrass and the stability it provides to the foreshore. The Squamish River Watershed Society became one of many partners to the Seagrass Conservation Working Group back in 2001 and has been working hard ever since to restore, educate, map and monitor eelgrass. Eelgrass has, in many ways, become an icon to what local community groups can accomplish through outreach, networking, and partnerships.
