Students return to finish salt marsh grass project

Kenneth Rainer informed Historic City News that the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve and partnering schools have finished the Salt Marsh Grass Nursery Program; the final step in a year-long project that got students involved in hands-on research and restoration efforts.

The project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Florida Ecological Services Office.

“Over 80 students came from St. Johns Technical High, Sebastion Middle, Osceala Elementary and Mayport Elementary Schools to plant saltmarsh grass at an estuarine restoration site located in the Reserve,” Rainer told reporters. “The project aims to prevent further shoreline erosion and create healthier marsh systems.”

Students collected spartina grass seeds last fall, planted them behind reef sections along the Intracoastal Waterway, and monitored their growth throughout the school year. Each school also spent several days at the Reserve learning about marsh ecosystems and restoration techniques.

The project of planting the saltmarsh grass ties into the Community Oyster Shell Recycling and Living Reef Restoration Project started at the Reserve over a year ago.