Eelgrass

An important food source for waterbirds.

Eelgrass Photo: Eric Heupel

No matter where you live, chances are you and your family are benefiting from eelgrass. This beautiful plant provides dozens of ecosystem services and provides essential habitat for coastal birds. 

Eelgrass on the U.S. West Coast is a member of the family of sea grasses called Zosteraceae and belongs to the higher taxonomic group of flowering plants called angisosperms. The blades of eelgrass are similar to those found in common grass species and depending on the zone, these could grow up to 4 feet in length. 

As a crucial nursery habitat for crabs, salmon, and other wildlife, eelgrass boosts the economies of our coastal communities through fisheries and tourism. Healthy eelgrass beds also clean and filter water, absorb climate-warming carbon, and act as natural buffers to protect the coastline during storms.

Within San Francisco Estuary, Richardson Bay stands out as a particularly unique location for eelgrass restoration. It harbors the second-largest extant eelgrass bed in the estuary, and plants with the most genetic diversity of six beds sampled. Further, a model of environmental conditions in the estuary has identified Richardson Bay as the area with the greatest area suitable for restoration (Merkel and Associates 2004). Hence, Richardson Bay is highly valued both for its existing eelgrass resources and its potential for restoration.

Read All About Eelgrass in this downloadable fact sheet in English and Spanish.

What is eelgrass?

What animals rely on eelgrass?

Why should you care about eelgrass?

Coastal Resiliency
Coastal Resiliency

Coastal Resiliency

Audubon is advancing nature-based strategies to help coastline communities weather the impacts of climate change.

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Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary
About Us

Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary

The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is a remarkable slice of nature on the shores of the San Francisco Bay.

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It's on! Herring Run in SF Bay Attracts Thousands of Birds
Coastal Resiliency

It's on! Herring Run in SF Bay Attracts Thousands of Birds

San Francisco Bay is an ecologically rich estuary, significant for its large eelgrass beds, spawning areas for Pacific herring, and tens of thousands of wintering waterbirds and other wildlife. Each winter, waterbirds migrate to the waters in and around the Richardson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to rest in the calm waters and feast on herring.

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San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay

Audubon California is committed to protecting the birds and habitat of the San Francisco Bay.

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Restoration of eelgrass continues in San Francisco Bay
Audublog

Restoration of eelgrass continues in San Francisco Bay

Restoring the vital native plant requires hard work and cold water.

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Lesser Scaup

Latin:  Aythya affinis

Illustration for Lesser Scaup

Greater Scaup

Latin:  Aythya marila

Illustration for Greater Scaup

Surf Scoter

Latin:  Melanitta perspicillata

Illustration for Surf Scoter

Brant

Latin:  Branta bernicla

Illustration for Brant

Greater Yellowlegs

Latin:  Tringa melanoleuca

Illustration for Greater Yellowlegs

Horned Grebe

Latin:  Podiceps auritus

Illustration for Horned Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Latin:  Nannopterum auritum

Illustration for Double-crested Cormorant

Western Grebe

Latin:  Aechmophorus occidentalis

Illustration for Western Grebe

News & Updates

New Eelgrass Protection Zone launches in Richardson Bay!
Coastal Resiliency

New Eelgrass Protection Zone launches in Richardson Bay!

Designated area will help protect and restore essential eelgrass ecosystem and haven for birds

Historic New Marine Sanctuary along CA’s Central Coast Shows the Power of Tribal-Led Conservation
Coastal Resiliency

Historic New Marine Sanctuary along CA’s Central Coast Shows the Power of Tribal-Led Conservation

Through collective coalition action, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council showed how tribally-led organizing can lead to historic conservation and protect a culturally and ecologically treasured area

Building Anew Along the Shores of San Diego County
Coastal Resiliency

Building Anew Along the Shores of San Diego County

Local chapters, universities, Indigenous groups, and Audubon California collaborate to revitalize a shoreline that has long been left to the depredations of industrial action.

New Model Maps a Resilient SF Bay Future Through Climate-Smart Seagrass Restoration
Press Center

New Model Maps a Resilient SF Bay Future Through Climate-Smart Seagrass Restoration

— New eelgrass habitat model to supercharge conservation efforts to prevent acidification, erosion, and other climate change impacts in major CA bays
Effects of Extreme High Surf Events on Coastal Community Science
Coastal Resiliency

Effects of Extreme High Surf Events on Coastal Community Science

Postponement of Ventura's Christmas Bird Count

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Sandpiper Diet is More than Meets the Eye

How sandpipers tap a hidden food source for their dinner

California Ocean Day 2023
Seas & Shores

California Ocean Day 2023

Advocating for healthy ocean ecosystems, coastal access, and pollution prevention.

We Stand with Seabirds
Coastal Resiliency

We Stand with Seabirds

In the midst of a seabird crisis, we made waves on Capitol Hill for resilient coasts.

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Why We Can't Live Without Eelgrass

This beautiful seagrass provides dozens of ecosystem services and provides essential habitat for coastal birds.

Audubon Awarded $500K Grant to Restore San Diego County Coastal Wetlands
Seas & Shores

Audubon Awarded $500K Grant to Restore San Diego County Coastal Wetlands

Audubon will work with Indigenous peoples, local community groups, and wetlands scientists to restore portions of Mission Bay in San Diego and land adjacent to Buena Vista Lagoon in North County

How you can help, right now