Professors to Speak on Seagrass Restoration

Dr. Anitra Thorhaug actively works to restore seagrass beds in the Carribean.

Seagrass in the Caribbean will be the topic of a special presentation on Sunday, Aug. 19, hosted by Southwestern’s Biology Department. The public is invited to a presentation by Dr. Anitra Thorhaug, professor for the School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Yale University and Dr. Andrew Oerke, CEO of Greater Caribbean Energy and Environment Foundation.

The free event will take place at 8 p.m. in Scales Hall, room 201. Refreshments will be served. Thorhaug and Oerke will talk about their project to restore seagrass in the Caribbean.

Dr. Andrew Oerke works as the CEO of Greater Caribbean Energy and Environment Foundation.

According to “The Nature Conservancy,” up to 90 percent of seagrass beds have diminished in many bays across the Gulf of Mexico. They also say that seagrass protects water clarity, dampens wave action, prevents shoreline erosion, provides food and water for juvenile fish and shrimp and offers habitat for manatees, sea turtles and sea horses.

All people are invited to attend and learn about the project, what sea grass is, why it’s important and how to get involved as a volunteer or in a student research project.

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