Seagrass meadows are foundational to Gulf ecosystem health, supporting biodiversity, stabilizing sediments, improving water quality, and providing critical nursery habitat for commercially and ecologically important species. Yet, these habitats face mounting threats from storm impacts, declining water quality, and anthropogenic disturbances such as boat propeller scarring.  Many state and federal agencies throughout Gulf are interested in and need up-to-date data and maps of seagrass resources. The SAV Community of Practice has been active many years in the Gulf region to help share such information, resources, and data. Updates to current and ongoing initiatives will be presented during this session.

These initiatives include, but are not limited to (1) Florida seagrass restoration efforts as part of the development of a Florida Seagrass Restoration Plan under the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative (F.S. 403.9334); (2) interdisciplinary projects to explore innovative approaches to seagrass protection, restoration, and management, specifically the ChIRPS (Chandeleur Islands Restoration Project for Seagrasses) and SCAR MAPS (Seagrass Conservation through Actionable Research – Management Areas for the Prevention of Scarring); and (3) work on revisions for a new Seagrass Status and Trends report with a target release date of 2030. Presentations on the current and completed progress towards these initiatives are invited to present.