Blue Carbon
Pilot Project
Blue Carbon refers to coastal vegetation such as salt marsh grasses, eelgrass and other seagrass that sequesters or takes in carbon dioxide (CO2). This reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and helps to limit global climate change. These vegetation types also play an important role in supporting marine life.
Blue carbon vegetation sequesters carbon effectively and more permanently than terrestrial forests. Funds for restoration and protection of these vegetation types could be garnered through blue carbon credits, however, more research is needed to help quantify the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and stored by blue carbon.
Blue Carbon Pilot Project
Project Watershed, in collaboration with the Estuary Working Group, studied how salt marshes and eelgrass beds in our local estuary capture and store carbon from the atmosphere as part of the Blue Carbon Pilot Project.
Over time our Blue Carbon work turned into the Coastal Restoration component of our projects.
Fact Sheets and Reports
Blue Carbon Fact Sheet
Blue Carbon Sequestration Thesis
Sea Grass DNA Diagnostic
Technician Report – Tuesday, Sept 14
In July, our technician team ventured into Hollyhock Flats to conduct a plant survey. The goal was to understand the current plant community structures throughout the saltmarsh. This data can be used for restoration efforts at Kus-kus-sum. We also learned about invasive plant presence and range within Hollyhock for future removal efforts.
Salt Marsh Restoration in the K’ómoks Estuary at Dyke Slough
This restoration built up a new marsh platform to replace lost, historic tidal marsh. The newly build platform is then planted, all to help support wildlife and coastal resiliency in our thriving estuary.
Coastline Restoration in Fanny Bay
On June 17-19, 2020 Project Watershed organized a planting session to restore the vulnerable coastline in the Fanny Bay area. During the three days, our staff and 19 volunteers helped plant almost 2500 individual plants, comprised of Salicornia, Distichilis and dune grass species. This planting compliments another coastal restoration project where the shoreline was revegetated to protect the area from erosion.