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Evening Program: Restoration by Design

May 8, 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Oysters play a critical role in maintaining the health and resilience of estuaries in New England. Each bivalve can filter up to 30 gallons of water per day, removing suspended particles and clearing the surrounding waters. Additionally, their reefs provide important habitat for native fish and invertebrates and can help alleviate erosion and buffer shorelines. The Nature Conservancy has identified oyster reef restoration and other shellfish enhancements projects as essential strategies for improving the conditions in our estuaries and bays. Historically, the Great Bay Estuary in New Hampshire was covered in oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs. Due to historical overharvest, sedimentation, and environmental stressors, the reefs have largely been lost and with that the loss of the ecosystem services provided by the reefs. Dr. Alix Laferriere shares the story of their partnership with the University of New Hampshire to restore a 28-acre footprint of these reefs. She will also discuss their strategy to define where and how we conduct restoration in the future in order integrate it with additional interests such as recreational harvest areas, oyster aquaculture opportunities and eelgrass regeneration areas. Dr. Laferriere is the Coastal and Marine Programs Director for the New Hampshire chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Spaces in the refuge visitor center’s 85-seat auditorium will be filled on a first come, first served basis. This free evening program is sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Parker River NWR. NO preregistration for this program.

Details

Date:
May 8, 2019
Time:
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Website:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/

Organizer

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Venue

Parker River NWR Headquarters/Visitor Center
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, 01950 United States
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