SAV Seed-Based Restoration BMP Workshop
November 17–18, 2026 | Virginia Beach, VA
The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) will host an in-person workshop on November 17–18, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to review and refine Best Management Practices (BMPs) for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration practices. The workshop will focus primarily on eelgrass (Zostera marina), with consideration of widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) where applicable.
.
Building Coastwide Guidance:
The workshop will build upon a literature review, coastwide practitioner survey, and discussions held during the Zosterapalooza 35th Annual Conference in March 2026. Together, these efforts are helping identify current practices, challenges, knowledge gaps, and draft BMPs for consideration by workshop participants.
Participants will be asked to review, refine, and prioritize BMPs related to:
- Seed collection
- Seed storage and handling
- Seed movement and transfer
- Seeding and planting practices
Additional discussions may address restoration success metrics, priority research needs, and governance or regulatory considerations that influence seed-based restoration.
For more information see: Workshop Goals & Objectives
.
The workshop is being organized by ACFHP leadership in collaboration with SAV researchers, resource managers, and restoration practitioners from across the Atlantic coast. Following the workshop, recommendations will be incorporated into the ACFHP SAV Seed Transfer Guidance Document, with the potential for subsequent publication in the peer-reviewed literature.
Workshop products will include a Guidance Document and peer-reviewed manuscript. The Guidance Document will synthesize current science and practitioner experience to support seed-based restoration, research, and management and provide a resource for future discussions related to SAV restoration policies or regulations.
.
Workshop Participation:
The workshop will be held in person in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on November 17–18, 2026. Virtual participation is available as a listen-only webinar. Virtual attendees will be able to view workshop presentations and plenary discussions but will not participate in breakout groups or facilitated exercises. Questions may be submitted through the webinar Q&A and addressed as time permits.
- Day 1 of the meeting will be held on November 17 at the Brock Environmental Center – Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 3663 Marlin Bay Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
- Day 2 of the meeting will be held on November 18 at the Delta by Marriott Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites, 2800 Shore Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23451
.
REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL LISTEN-ONLY OPTION BELOW
.
Additional workshop information, including the agenda and participant materials, will be posted here as it becomes available.
.
Thank you to all our Workshop Planning Partners!
