Restoring the Lungs of the Bay: SAV Program

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV), often called the "Lungs of the Bay," plays a critical role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. These underwater grasses produce oxygen, improve water quality, and protect shorelines from erosion. Furthermore, SAV provides essential habitat for various aquatic organisms, including the iconic blue crab.

The Anne Arundel Community College Environmental Center (AACC EC) is dedicated to expanding infrastructure for monitoring, collecting, and disseminating SAV in local waterways. Our objective is to increase SAV acreage while educating students and the community about its vital ecological role.

Our Focus Species

We focus our restoration efforts on three native mesohaline species:

• Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris): An early-season plant typically harvested in mid-May.

• Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata): A robust species that ripens in early July.

• Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima): Harvested from mid-July through August; these seeds require high-salinity storage.