State environmental officials have been collecting bay grasses as part of a restoration effort in the lower Potomac River area.
Department of Natural Resources technicians are collecting eelgrass seeds to help recolonize grasses in areas where water quality has improved enough to support grass growth.
This summer?s collection has resulted in about 5 million eelgrass seeds. Since 2003, the efforts have resulted in the restoration of more than 64 acres of bay grasses at many locations in the Patuxent and Potomac rivers.
Bay grasses help improve water quality and provide food and shelter for other species.
