Ecosphere Restoration Institute, together with AquaTech Eco Consultants, is proud to announce the successful completion of 100 acres of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) restoration across Florida, a major milestone in one of the state’s largest and most ambitious seagrass initiatives.
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Funded through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and launched in 2022 with a $5 million appropriation, this project was designed to jump-start recovery in areas where seagrass meadows had been lost due to pollution, red tides, and harmful algae blooms. By replanting seagrass in targeted areas including the Indian River Lagoon, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota Bay, the project aims to rebuild habitat for fish and shellfish, improve water clarity, stabilize sediments, and provide critical food for Florida’s manatees.

From the first planting at MacDill AFB in late 2022 to the 100th acre completed in the Indian River Lagoon, our team and partners have reached this goal ahead of schedule. And the work is far from done. Thanks to new funding, we are already under contract to restore another 70 acres over the next two years, ensuring this progress accelerates rather than slows down.

Seagrasses are among the planet’s most valuable ecosystems. A single acre can support up to 40,000 fish and 50 million small invertebrates, while also storing carbon at a rate 30 times more efficient than tropical rainforests. By replanting these underwater meadows, we’re not only protecting Florida’s environment and economy but also ensuring healthier, more resilient waterways for future generations.

This initiative is made possible through strong partnerships with AquaTech Eco Consultants, Aquaticus Plants, and the University of South Florida, with oversight from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Together, we’re proving that science-based restoration and collaboration can deliver lasting impact for Florida’s coastlines.

Note: USF performed an independent assessment of several sites in the Tampa Bay region and found that some sites exhibited a 200% expansion of the seagrass plantings, and sites had a 50-70% survival rate.
See report here.

SAV Planting 100th acre - Marin County