Underwater grasses are a key component of the Bay's ecosystem. They provide habitat for crabs and fish, add oxygen to the water, prevent shoreline erosion, clarify the water, and serve as a food source for birds.
Participants in the program grow wild celery (Vallisneria americana), a type of underwater grass, in a simple grow-out system in their homes for 10-12 weeks. After 10-12 weeks of grow-out, participants will gather to plant their grasses in select local rivers to bolster grass populations and help restore the Bay.
General Program Timeline:
- Workshops: January to mid February (Registration opens in December)
- Grow-out period: February to May
- Plantings: May
At Grasses workshops, participants are given instructions and the tools necessary to grow underwater grasses at home.
During the workshops participants receive:
- a simple aquaculture system
- instructions and support
- seeds and program materials
- access to an on-line support network
Participants will need to provide:
- $40 program fee
- Sand and soil needed to plant the grass seeds
- 2 light bulbs
- Space (4'x4') to set-up the growth system; we suggest an area near an outlet with a steady temperature
Planting Sites
Attending a planting is a key and rewarding component of the program.
CBF has carefully selected restoration locations Planting underwater grass is an activity that requires a state permit. It is important that the grasses produced through the Grasses for the Masses program are planted only in these designated areas with CBF staff.
Our planting sites include:
Mason Neck State Park on the Potomac River, in Fairfax County, Virginia
Westover Plantation on the James River, in Charles City County, Virginia
Chickahominy Riverfront Park on the Chickahominy River in James City County
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge on the Rappahannock River on the Northern Neck in Richmond County
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice Rivers Center on the James River in Charles City County
Planting Guidelines
To ensure the safety of all volunteers, a quality experience, and the survival of the grasses, we ask that each Grasses for the Masses participant be aware of and abide by the following guidelines during each grass planting:
- Only three children or students (under the age of 18) are allowed in the water per grass grow-out kit.
- When in the water every child under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. **This is particularly important for school groups.
- All children under 18 must have a CBF health waiver signed by a parent or guardian before.
- All children under 18 must wear a life vest (provided by CBF) while in the water.
- Volunteers 18 years old and above will need to sign a CBF health waiver, which will be sent to each volunteer before the planting.
Learn More
To bring your grasses to the planting:
- Wait until just before you leave for the planting to drain your tubs and pans. Extended periods of time out of the water may dry out and kill your grasses.
- Drain the water completely out of the black tub, and mostly out of the kitty pans. Be careful not to disturb the roots of your grasses.
- Cover the grasses with strips of wet newspaper.
- Return all equipment cleaned. Equipment can be cleaned with household tools (sponges/brushes), BUT DO NOT use household cleaners, even purported "natural" cleaners. Instead, scrub and rinse the equipment with a diluted vinegar solution.
If you have any questions, please contact Gabby Troutman at gtroutman@cbf.org or 804-258-1605..
