Last Chance to register for the Eelgrass Pilot Project. March 12th and 13th, 10 – 5pm Saturday and 10 – 3pm Sunday.

[Valeri Diamond]

You are invited to join Cynthia Durance and Project Watershed for a lecture about the ecology and importance of eelgrass at 10 am on March 12, 2011. The lecture will be followed by an explanation of how to map and monitor eelgrass beds. Project Watershed has recently produced a map of the Courtenay Estuary showing the location of eelgrass beds; the map is based on orthophoto interpretation and needs to be ground-truthed to verify the identification of the beds and to search for eelgrass in areas that were not visible on the photos. We will visit the estuary in the afternoon to practice the mapping and monitoring methods. Volunteers who receive training will be encouraged to assist Project Watershed with ground truthing the eelgrass map this spring and summer. Sunday, March 13, 2011 we will complete a pilot eelgrass transplant in an area that has been impacted and would benefit from an eelgrass restoration project. Lunch will be provided both days. Full schedule and registration at http://keepingitliving.ca/archives/2443.