“Continuing SAV monitoring with APNEP in the last sub-region, Pamlico Sound North in NC, with upcoming fieldwork. We are utilizing aerial flights for mapping SAV, covering 150 stations. “ - Tim Ellis

“Highlighted a recent proposal in North Carolina to stop shrimp trolling, emphasizing the importance of engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes.” - Jud Kenworthy

“Announced upcoming publications on restoration methods and additional research on Ruppia and eelgrass restoration. Discussed ongoing projects involving carbon stocks, clam aquaculture interactions, and historical analysis of seagrass expansion. “ - Chris Patrick

“Discussed using drones for SAV monitoring at the MD CBNERR site, particularly in Monie Bay. Exploring drone usage for mapping SAV at a restoration site in Deal Island, Maryland. “ - Becky Swerida

“Shared updates on online tools being developed by New Jersey DEP and Rutgers University for salt marsh management. Requested potential local seagrass data sources for inclusion in restoration activities in the Delaware Estuary. “ - Jecy Klinkman

“Introduced Delaware's new SAV program within watershed stewardship, facilitating SAV projects. Streamlined permitting processes for SAV restoration activities, including habitat suitability monitoring. “ - Kayla Clauson

“Shared plans for suitability monitoring starting in May and expanding to plant widgeongrass seeds next spring. Mentioned upcoming fieldwork to collect widgeongrass seeds for storage and planting” - Taylor Hoffman

“NJDEP is working on two new grants. The first is a desktop analysis study with Rutgers University utilizing field verification data collected from our 2023 mapping survey of Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor to compare using satellite imagery (Planet) with traditional flight imagery. The hope is to begin shifting towards imagery such as Planet. The second grant will be for mapping NJ's northern rivers for SAV in collaboration with Rutgers/Stockton Universities. These are still in the early stages of planning, but we are very excited about them! :) This summer we will be testing some of our newer units, including our BioSonics MX habitat echosounder, Klein side scan sonar, and Humminbird Helix for SAV ” - Nina Colagiovanni

“Long Island Sound Study is gearing up to kick-start a couple projects that were funded in FY23 including an eelgrass intercomparison study using remote-sensing technologies (URI/USFWS); releasing a RFP to update our eelgrass habitat suitability index model (NEIWPCC); collaborating to further Phil and Jill's eelgrass flowering SOP in both LIS and NJ (more to come on that). Also, our Management Committee approved NEIWPCC's proposal to release another RFP to initiate a long-term and large-scale seed based restoration program. That will be awarded in October so the RFP should be released sometime in the winter. “ - Cayla Sullivan

“Another plug here for the LIS Eelgrass Collaborative meeting June 12th!! https://estuarineresearchreserve.center.uconn.edu/lis-eelgrass-collaborative/” - Katie Lund

“Offered to share a previous Mass Seagrass Group’s work on defining the edge of seagrass habitats from 2022. Proposed sending the summary document to the group for further input. “ - Tay Evans

“It's not my own update, but I don't see Agnes Mittermayr here. She is at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown MA, which is the new home of the global SeagrassNet program. Samples, data, gripes and praises can now be directed to Agnes!” - Jill Carr

“Maine DEP is mapping the Penobscot Bay region of the Maine coast this summer for seagrass, an area that hasn't been mapped since 2003. The area is especially of interest for development of offshore wind and land-based aquaculture, and contains many smaller islands that have never been mapped.” - Angela Brewer