Eyes on Seagrass

Seagrass surveys will take place April 18^th-May 3^rd, 2026. Additional information on participation can be found at the bottom of this page.

Eyes on Seagrass is a citizen science volunteer monitoring program that has taken place in upper Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay since 2019. It was started by former Florida Sea Grant Charlotte County Extension Agent, Captain Betty Staugler, in response to angler concerns of increasing algae growth in Charlotte Harbor in 2019. Macroalgae, or seaweed, first appeared consistently in Charlotte Harbor starting in 2012 and has more recently been connected to local seagrass loss. Seagrass populations have been declining worldwide for a variety of reasons. Charlotte Harbor specifically saw a 23% loss in seagrass coverage between 2018 and 2021, which was troubling given how important seagrasses are both ecologically and economically in Florida. They act as a food source and habitat for many commercially and recreationally important fishery species, enhance water clarity, stabilize shorelines, and sequester carbon and nitrogen. The primary reason for seagrass die-off is increased nutrient levels in our waterbodies. Algae take up nutrients and grow faster than seagrasses, so when nutrients are readily available algae grows at rates that shade seagrasses and limits the amount of light required for them to do well.

Eyes on Seagrass methods were developed with close collaboration with scientists from UF to ensure that that the data collected by volunteers could be utilized in health assessments used by natural resource managers. Each spring and summer, volunteers are provided training and equipment necessary to survey preselected sites in upper Charlotte Harbor and Lemon Bay. Participants collect information on seagrass health, sediment, algae presence, and water quality.

Subscribe to our email list to receive up-to-date information on Eyes on Seagrass.

Participation information

Sign Up

As of 2025, the Charlotte County Sea Grant office is using POINT to manage volunteer sign-ups. This will require creating an account and downloading an app to your phone for use in the field. We do not make this change lightly but feel that it will improve both your experience as volunteers as well as our experience managing the program. Thank you in advance for your patience and please reach out if you have any difficulties.

1.  Create a profile POINT if you have not already. Only your name and your email address are required!

2. To get connected to our organization search, “UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant”

3. Scroll to find the event entitled “Eyes on Seagrass | Survey Window”

4. Sites are listed as ‘shifts.’ Select which sites you’d like to survey and sign up with your teammates.” We recommend having the sites you’d like to sample or a map of sites available to you before beginning registration.

Training 

Individual training & equipment pick up appointments will occur in 30-minute increments April 7^th-17^th, 2026. There are options to connect in Punta Gorda or Centennial Park Recreation Center in north Port Charlotte.

Sign up for training & equipment pick up in Punta Gorda on POINT here.

Sign up for training & equipment pick up at Centennial Park Recreation Center on POINT here.

Additional Resources

Online Training Video

Please note that as of March 2026, the equipment in this video will be out of date. However, the procedure remains largely the same

Field Guides

Charlotte Harbor Site Map

Datasheet

Once in late Spring (usually April) and once in Summer (usually July), volunteers will be asked to form sampling teams of at least three and survey their chosen sites within a defined two-week window. Sites only need to be surveyed once within the two-week sampling periods, and teams may participate in any combination of sampling events—Spring, Summer, or both!

Sampling teams will be responsible for transportation to their assigned sites via boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard or wading from shore as well as personal snorkeling equipment—masks, fins, water shoes and gloves. 

Seagrass occurs locally in depths of 2-6 feet. While this a program is designed with volunteer enjoyment in mind, it should be noted that collecting data on the water can be as tiring as it is fun. Consider having at least one person in your sampling team that is a strong swimmer. You will be asked to complete a liability form and photo release before receiving your sampling equipment.