eelgrass

Seagrasses are important breeding grounds for fish and crabs, but they are in decline around the world because of pollution, seafood harvesting, and climate change. Along Virginia's lower Eastern Shore, however, 4,300 acres of eelgrass have returned to once-barren coastal bays. The Johnny Appleseed of eelgrass is Robert Orth of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, who has worked with partners, including The Nature Conservancy, to plant 41 million seeds.