As regional leaders in marine restoration, Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program has been restoring eelgrass meadows at our Sag Harbor Shoal site since 2016. In 2023, a community-driven fundraising campaign was initiated to establish the Back to the Bays Sag Harbor Stewardship Site. Quickly followed by an integral partnership with Kidd Squid Brewing Co., which helped raise the funds support to meet our restoration targets.

With support from Sag Harbor Village and Southampton Town, and help from our volunteer network of Sag Harbor Stewards, CCE staff have been able to increase our impact in Sag Harbor waters to include annual expansion of our oyster reefs and eelgrass meadows, hard clam and bay scallop seedings, shoreline restoration projects, and educational community outreach events.

Eelgrass restoration process: The “Tortilla” Method

Sag Harbor Shoals Eelgrass Meadow Restoration

Footage of successful growth of 2021 Planting, monitored after 1 month and again at 1 year

2025 footage of growth + species inhabiting restored meadow

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Current Work Underway

Oyster Reef

Oysters, considered a “keystone species,” filter water and form reefs that buffer storm surges, and create a complex 3D structure that offers critical habitat for many important species.
The shoreline off of John Steinbeck Waterfront Park was selected for the pilot planting of a new spat-on-shell oyster reef. In August 2024, approximately 50,000 oyster spat on 13 cubic ft. (360L) of recycled shell were deployed by community volunteers + Back to the Bays staff at the new reef site. In 2025, an additional 80,000 oysters (ave. 6mm) set on 15 cubic ft. of shell (420 L) were added to bolster the reef.
These reefs, not intended for harvested, will continue to grow, improving water quality, restoring habitat, and enhancing the wild oyster population.

Learn More
Eelgrass Meadows

Eelgrass plants prevent erosion, mitigate climate change by storing carbon, produce oxygen, and provide essential habitat for many economically important fish and shellfish.
The Sag Harbor Shoal eelgrass meadow site was initiated in 2016, but lacked consistent funding to enable annual plantings. In 2024, this project’s fundraising campaign allowed for 1,750 eelgrass shoots (woven into 175 burlap discs) to be planted that November by our diver team.
Planting success is evaluated via video monitoring of the site, which is marked using pvc driven stakes indicating the planting year, as well as GPS. Expansion from the planting zones is measured and new open areas are targeted for future plantings.
Multiple species have already been observed utilizing our restored eelgrass meadow including adult bay scallops, flounder, and juvenile black sea bass!

Learn more
Seahorse Hotels

Eelgrass is the preferred habitat of our native seahorse species, the Northern Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus). Seahorses evolved prehensile tails to cling to eelgrass and other stable structures, allowing them to remain in their territory with their pair-bonded mate.
Not all sites are suitable for restoring eelgrass, so to help address seahorse habitat needs, we are working to deploy “seahorse hotels” to create stable, long-term habitat sites for seahorses to return to annually.
In summer 2025 we began scouting installation sites at the edges of the Sag Harbor Shoals restored eelgrass meadow, and community stewards gathered to help build new Seahorse Hotels!

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Recent Studies

Ecosystem Structure Comparisons Between Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Restoration Sites and Natural Meadows to Determine Recovery Status

In 2023, Stonybrook MCP Student Madilyn Sausville was accepted into our intern program, and during that time she conducted her thesis on comparing two of our eelgrass restoration sites to natural meadows based on sediment parameters. The Sag Harbor restoration site was chosen as one for comparison to the nearby natural eelgrass meadow. Her study found significant differences between the restoration site in Sag Harbor and the natural meadow, concluding that the restoration site is still in transition and not yet at full capacity as the natural meadow nearby. This is to be expected, as the standard for eelgrass becoming fully restored and comparable to natural meadows in terms of ecosystem services is 10 years. Another restoration site, known as Gull Island, which was planted over 10 years ago, was found to not be significantly different than the reference meadow.

Click Image to View the Full Paper

Fundraising Campaign

We are incredible grateful for all the community support and overwhelming crowds of Stewards that have come out to our Sag Harbor events!

We are seeking the financial support required to continue integrating this site into our long-term restoration network. A fundraising drive is currently in effect to make this happen. If we meet our target we will be able to expand our eelgrass restoration efforts, build upon the new spat-on-shell oyster reef, and conduct further shellfish population enhancement seedings that bolster local bay scallop and hard clam populations, all in the waters off of Sag Harbor for years to come.

View or Download PDF Report

Thank you to our Sag Harbor Stewardship Site Collaborations

Kidd Squid’s
“Brew for the Bays”

In the News

Jun 6, 2025

Long Island Marine and Coastal Field Guide: A Trusty Companion on Land and at Sea- The Southampton Press

Jun 6, 2025

The Long Island Marine and Coastal Field Guide was created by Back to the Bays staff Carolyn Munaco and Hazel Wodehouse. Carolyn painted over 250 species for the field guide and Hazel classified each organism and wrote all of the information about each species, as well as detailed descriptions of Long Island's diverse marine habitats.

Full Article

Jun 6, 2025

May 28, 2025

Back to the Bays Plants Scallops; Hopes To Harvest Donations With May 30 Fundraiser - The Southampton Press

May 28, 2025

Back to the Bays plants Scallops to collect donations for our 2nd annual Brew for the Bay, brought to you by the Back to the Bays Team and Kidd Squid Brewing Co. Proceeds from beer sales will directly support the shellfish and habitat restoration work being conducted in the waters off of Sag Harbor through Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program's Back to the Bays Initiative.

Full Article

May 28, 2025

Sep 10, 2024

Community, conservationists establish small oyster reef in Sag Harbor - Newsday

Sep 10, 2024

Kate-Rossi Snook led a large gathering of volunteers and supports in the deployment of our Sag Harbor Oyster Reef!

Full Article

Sep 10, 2024

Aug 29, 2024

Toward a New Oyster Reef in Sag Harbor - The East Hampton Star

Aug 29, 2024

“We have to be proactive, we have to remain proactive,” said Sag Harbor Village Mayor Thomas Gardella at an Aug. 21 event on the beach near John Steinbeck Waterfront Park, hosted by the nonprofit Back to the Bays.

Full Article

Aug 29, 2024

Apr 22, 2024

Sag Harbor Cinema Celebrates Earth Day With Films - 27 East

Apr 22, 2024

Sag Harbor Cinema will screen Anne Belle’s 1976 film short film “Baymen — Our Waters are Dying,” recently restored by the New York Public Library, together with Greek filmmaker Leon Loisios’ “Fishermen and Fishing” (1961). The screenings will take place on Sunday, April 21, at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by a presentation by the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Back to the Bays initiative, with a special focus on the Sag Harbor Stewardship Site.

Full Article

Apr 22, 2024

Apr 17, 2024

Earth Day event across the moat: Shelter Islander presents on keeping bays healthy - Shelter Island Reporter

Apr 17, 2024

On Sunday, April 21, a special Earth Day film screening event will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Sag Harbor Cinema in collaboration with Back to the Bays, an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Marine Program.

Full Article

Apr 17, 2024

Jan 18, 2024

North Fork Polar Bears ‘Splash for CAST’ plunge returns Jan. 28 - The Suffolk Times

Jan 18, 2024

The North Fork Polar Bears, a winter swimming group with more than 130 members, will host its second annual Splash for CAST on Sunday, Jan 28. The event benefits the nonprofit Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation in Southold, CAST, as well as CCE Marine Program’s Back to the Bays Initiative.

Full Article

Jan 18, 2024

Dec 12, 2023

Brewed for the Bay: Kidd Squid’s latest beer is set to give back in a big way - Southforker

Dec 12, 2023

“This Brew for the Bay is going to help us meet our fundraising goal for establishment of a Back to the Bays Stewardship Site in Sag Harbor,” Kimberly Barbour.

Full Article

Dec 12, 2023

Dec 5, 2023

Kidd Squid Joins With Cornell Cooperative Extension To Support Eelgrass Restoration - 27 East Sag Harbor Express

Dec 5, 2023

A brand new brew from Kidd Squid will raise funds for reseeding oysters and planting eelgrass in Sag Harbor, keeping the waterways clean in a village built on the bay....

Full Article

Dec 5, 2023

Dec 4, 2023

Giving Back to the Bay with a Limited IPA from Kidd Squid in Sag Harbor - Dan’s Papers

Dec 4, 2023

Kidd Squid Brewing Co. is teaming up with Cornell Cooperative Extension to launch a limited run of Brew for the Bay Sag Harbor. “This is direct giving with a happy limited edition liquid gift from Kidd Squid in return,” said Rory McEvoy, owner, brand guru and brewmaster of Kidd Squid Brewing Co. “Every penny after tangible costs goes to fund eelgrass and oysters in Sag Harbor.”

Full Article

Dec 4, 2023

Dec 1, 2023

Biologists express renewed optimism for Peconic Bay scallops - WSHU Public Radio

Dec 1, 2023

After multiple consecutive years of seasonal dieoffs among the bay scallop populations, a small subset expressing strong survivability has been documented. The CCE Marine researchers and hatchery team will be working to assess those genetics and is embarking on a series of spawns using those adults as broodstock.

Full Article

Dec 1, 2023

Oct 10, 2023

Cornell Cooperative Extension To Host Marine Meadows Workshop at Havens Beach - 27 East, The Sag Harbor Press

Oct 10, 2023

With funding support from the community, CCE Marine will host a Marine Meadows Workshop on October 21, at Havens Beach, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Eelgrass serves as a habitat for oysters. Oysters help filter and keep our waterways clean.

Full Article

Oct 10, 2023

Mar 27, 2023

Scientists Scramble to Help Bay Scallops Survive Climate Change - Civil Eats

Mar 27, 2023

Researchers at Stony Brook University and CCE have joined forces and begun to selectively breed Peconic Bay scallops in an effort to help them resist the effects of climate change and restore their populations.

Full Article

Mar 27, 2023

Feb 16, 2023

New effort by Cornell Cooperative Extension fights for bay scallops’ survival - The Suffolk Times

Feb 16, 2023

A new project has been launched to ensure the long-term survival of the Peconic Bay scallop by shifting spawning from summer to fall at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southold hatchery.

Full Article

Feb 16, 2023

Blog Archive

On the Water + In the Field Blog

Aug 5, 2025

Blue Carbon ~ Mitigating climate change by restoring coastal habitats

Aug 5, 2025

Funded by and in partnership with the South Shore Estuary Reserve Program, CCE Marine has been able to continue restoring “Blue Carbon” habitats, like eelgrass and marsh grass. Learn about how Blue Carbon habitats help mitigate climate change.

Aug 5, 2025

Jul 31, 2025

Seahorse Hotels in Sag Harbor

Jul 31, 2025

In partnership with Kidd Squid Brewing Co. we held a Seahorse Hotel workshop in Sag Harbor. These structures will be deployed in village waters to provide additional habitat for our local seahorse species.

Jul 31, 2025

Jul 1, 2025

Building On Our Sag Harbor Oyster Reef

Jul 1, 2025

Checking on last year’s Sag Harbor oyster reef planting off Steinbeck Park, and bolstering the reef with another 100K spat-on-shell oysters!

Jul 1, 2025

Jun 17, 2025

Brew for the Bays at Kidd Squid: A Recap

Jun 17, 2025

May 16, 2025

Seeding Bay Scallops in Sag Harbor

May 16, 2025

Our Back to the Bays team and CCE experts were joined by 2 VIP donors and the press, for our annual bay scallop seeding in Sag Harbor Shoals eelgrass sanctuary.

May 16, 2025

Mar 31, 2025

Back to the Bays Marks a Milestone

Mar 31, 2025

2025 marks the 10-Year Anniversary of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Back to the Bays Initiative!

Mar 31, 2025

Dec 31, 2024

2024 Impact Report

Dec 31, 2024

Read our 2024 Back to the Bays Impact Report for a full review of the our 2024 projects and progress.

Dec 31, 2024

Aug 2, 2024

Back to the Bays Midsummer Update

Aug 2, 2024

Our Back to the Bays Team has been busy to say the least this summer! The majority of our fieldwork, and plant and animal care in our shellfish and coastal plant nurseries takes place during these warm weather months. And it takes a lot of hard work to keep everything thriving and growing.

Aug 2, 2024

Aug 1, 2024

Celebrating Seaweed: Our Art and Awareness Event

Aug 1, 2024

Back to the Bays is thrilled to share the success of our recent art and awareness event, This is Seaweed, hosted at Ashawagh Hall in East Hampton. The opening reception on July 19th was a remarkable evening, with a tremendous turnout and an incredible show of support for our Back to the Bays Seaweed Initiative.

Aug 1, 2024

Dec 19, 2023

Kidd Squid’s Brew for the Bay Helps Us Finish Off 2023 On A High Note!

Dec 19, 2023

Last Friday, December 15th we celebrated the release of our special beer collaboration with Kidd Squid Brewing Co. at their brewery in Sag Harbor. Before the event was even over, every last case, can, and keg was gone! We are so grateful for the overwhelming support of the Sag Harbor community and everyone who purchased the special Hazy IPA (produced with all NY sourced grain!), dubbed the “Brew for the Bay Sag Harbor”.

Dec 19, 2023

Dec 12, 2023

Sag Harbor Village Presentation

Dec 12, 2023

Nov 1, 2023

Marine Meadows Workshop at Havens Beach, Sag Harbor

Nov 1, 2023

Learn what it’s like to attend a Marine Meadows eelgrass workshop and how the work of our marine stewards contributes to the restoration of this important habitat.

Nov 1, 2023

Sep 7, 2023

POV: You’re a Back to the Bays Intern

Sep 7, 2023

Our summer 2023 College Interns reflect on their summer of learning and stewardship with Back to the Bays.

Sep 7, 2023

Sag Harbor

Stewardship Site

Background + Goals

Events near Sag Harbor

Recent Blog Posts

Oyster Reef

Eelgrass Meadows

Seahorse Hotels

Recent Studies

Click Image to View the Full Paper

Fundraising Campaign

View or Download PDF Report

Thank you to our Sag Harbor Stewardship Site Collaborations

Kidd Squid’s “Brew for the Bays”

In the News

Blog Archive

Back to the BaysCornell Cooperative Extension I Marine Program

Kidd Squid’s
“Brew for the Bays”

Back to the Bays
Cornell Cooperative Extension I Marine Program