Shinnecock Bay (Eastern Flats)

Monitoring of 2009 seeding experiment, seeding plot, and biodegradable seeding plot. Very few seedlings observed. May be too early to tell, as most seedlings observed were still very small (2-4cm) and covered in a diatom film, so not visible until wiped clean. Will return for further examination.

Plum Island South (Fort Terry & Mid-Bluff)

Attempted to monitor on 14Apr10 but too many seals were present and close to boat. Only a small number of shoots remained, and they were buried beyond sheaths. Large sand waves indicated strong waves occured over winter. Both sites have been removed from potential site list. These sites appear to have too much exposure, and the area seems to be a sink for silt and drift algae for many days following a storm event, limiting light to the deeper stations that held up best to hydrodynamic forces.

Duck Pond Pt

The buoy marking the site was located, however ~2ft of sand had engulfed the block holding the buoy, indicating significant sand accretion to the area. No shoots were located.

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St. Thomas Pt

Visited St Thomas Pt restoration site to evaluate expansion of planting areas and observe new plantings from last fall. Meadow continues to expand and migrate into unvegetated areas. Flowering (reproductive) shoots were numerous.

Shinnecock Bay (Eastern Flats)

Monitoring of 2009 seeding experiment, seeding plot, and biodegradable seeding plot. Very few seedlings observed. May be due to high current carrying seeds outside of designated areas. Planted test planting of new method using sand bags and "tortillas". 10 units, each with 12 shoots.

Gardener's Island (Cartwright Shoals II)

Collected 400 shoots from a natural Gardeners Island meadow. Planted at new location...Set up three different plots of 10 sand bags each; one with bags spaced 1.0 meters on center, one0.5 meters on center, and one withas tight of spacing as possible. This was to test the optimal spacing here to avoid erosion around bags due to high current.

Greenport Harbor ( jetty)

Collected 550 shoots from Long Beach, Orient. We used our newest method using "tortillas" and sand bags. Planted 44 "units" (12 shoots each) on the west side of the Greenport Jetty north of existing eelgrass patch. "Tortillas" are circular cut-outs of burlap in which holes are punched out and 12 eelgrass shoots are sewn into. Sand bags are placed on top as anchors. Bags were laid out in a grid pattern 1 meter on center.

Gardener's Island (Cartwright Shoals II)

Attempted to monitor plantings, but inclement weather prevented ability to visit site.

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Greenport Harbor ( jetty)

Deployed sand bags on 17June. Collected 1200 shoots from Long Beach, Orient. 100 sand bags were spaced and planted, continuing the grid pattern north (towards Stirling Harbor) and west (deeper).

Gardener's Island (Cartwright Shoals II)

Monitored sandbag plantings. Deployed temperature logger in Tobaccolot Bay.

St. Thomas Pt

Visited St Thomas Pt restoration sites to evaluate expansion of planting areas. Visibility was poor, put plants looked healthy.

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Nickols Pt (Shelter Island)

Collected 300 shoots from Cedar Pt Preserve (East Hampton), and did test plantings at Nickols Pt, Shelter Island. We tested our newest method using "tortillas" and sand bags, and planted at three depths, the shallowest being near where the natural eelgrass exists at this site. 7 units (12 shoots per unit) were planted at each depth in a grid pattern, spaced 1m apart.

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Greenport Harbor ( jetty)

Monitored plantings. Some loss had occurred, mostly due to what appeared to be bioturbation, but remaining shoots looked very healthy. Lots of epiphyte growth, typical for this time of year. Lots of bay scallop spat were observed on the plantings.

Nickols Pt (Shelter Island)

First monitoring visit since planted. Unfortunately plantings did not look good, only a few shoots remained, and those were damaged/broken. Appears to be due to a combination of sand blasting and bioturbation. Plants remaining were bright green, indicating all stations likely recieved plenty of light. Need to re-visit site, look for deeper or more protected area.

Shinnecock Bay (Eastern Flats)

Monitoring of test plantings. Plantings looked great; lots of growth. Some shoots were missing, but most remaining shoots had 3-6 laterals making up for any loss. Drift algae was covering the plantings, but once removed, healthy green shoots were below. Future plantings should remain widely spaced here to avoid mats of drift algae from getting caught.

Shinnecock Bay (Eastern Flats)

Shoot collection (600 shoots) for planting later in week.

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Shinnecock Bay (Eastern Flats)

Planted out 50 tortillas (10 shoots per unit) without sand bags in the SE corner of the experimental plot. a hole was excavated, tortilla placed within, and sand was filled in 2-3 cm over-top. Plantings were placed ~6ft apart.

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