||| FROM ALEXANDRA GAYEK |||


Our own local star Joe Gaydos, Science Director of the SeaDoc Society, narrates a fascinating short video in this Cornell University article about the important role of seagrass meadows (which includes our local eelgrass) in filtering human pathogens from the water and keeping shellfish safe to eat for humans as well as for the wild, non-human county residents that make up our coastal biodiversity.
Check out the SeaDoc Society and sign up for their newsletter here:  https://www.seadocsociety.org
Friends of the San Juans is promoting eelgrass protection as part of its “Green Boater” program. You can download a map of the eelgrass beds around our islands, and spread the word among boater friends to avoid anchoring in the eelgrass meadows, stay 1000 yds from whales, minimize wakes, avoid fuel spills and marine dumping, and take the “Green Boater Pledge.” The eelgrass map and other info about what you can do to support our marine and shoreline ecosystems are here:

**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**