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Protect and Restore Underwater Grasses
Sign-up now for information about 2009 workshops.
You can help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's rivers by participating in CBF's Grasses for the Masses program.
Grasses for the Masses
Volunteers in the program grow wild celery (Vallisneria americana), a type of underwater grass, in small tubs in their homes for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks of growth, volunteers get together to plant their grasses in select local rivers to bolster grass populations and help restore the Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation conducts workshops where volunteers will be given instructions and the tools necessary to grow the underwater grasses themselves.
Participants of the program will receive:
- a simple aquaculture system
- instructions and support
- seeds and program materials
- an on-line support network where volunteers can connect
Workshops
At the Grasses for the Masses workshops participants will be given seeds, materials, and instructions to start growing their grasses right away. Workshops are held during the months of January & February, first-time participants must attend a workshop in their area.
We are excited to offer more workshop options and locations in our 2009 Program. Workshops will be offered in the Arlington, Fairfax, Richmond, Gloucester, and Virginia Beach areas.
Plantings
Plantings at restoration sites occur during the months of April and May, after 10 weeks of home-growth. Participants will select a planting site and date at a designated restoration location where they will join CBF staff and other volunteers in planting their grasses.
Last year we had 168 participants in the program. In the spring, over 200 volunteers helped plant underwater grasses at our restoration sites on the Potomac and James Rivers. Check out the photos from our 2008 underwater grass plantings!
Also in 2009, in addition to our planting sites at Mason Neck State Park and Westover Plantation we will also be planting at a new restoration site in the James River National Wildlife Refuge.
Sign me up!
We are gearing up for next year's program! Please sign-up to be on our Grasses contact list for the 2009 program.
The cost of the program is $40.00, which helps us cover equipment costs and continue the program. As an added benefit, participants in CBF's Grasses for the Masses program you will receive a CBF membership for a year.
Additional Resources
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