The Secret Life of Eelgrass

When you think about Outdoor School at Warm Beach Camp, towering evergreens, tidal mudflats, and playful harbor seals might come to mind. But tucked quietly below the water’s surface lies one of the most powerful yet overlooked ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest—eelgrass meadows. These underwater grasslands don’t just support marine life; they also transform how students experience science through hands-on, place-based learning.

What is Eelgrass and Why Does it Matter?

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a native plant that grows in shallow, salty waters. At Warm Beach Camp, located on Port Susan Bay, the Stillaguamish River delta creates the perfect conditions for this vital ecosystem. Erin Simmons, Outdoor School Manager at Warm Beach Camp, explains that the Warm Beach eelgrass meadow is one of the largest in the Puget Sound—second only to Padilla Bay.

Why is that important? Because eelgrass is more than just “underwater grass.” It acts as:

• A carbon sink: The eelgrass meadow at Warm Beach Camp stores more carbon than the 300 acres of surrounding forest, helping regulate climate.
• A nursery for salmon fry: Young salmon rely on eelgrass meadows as a safe transition zone between freshwater and saltwater.
• Habitat for herring: Pacific herring lay eggs on eelgrass blades, providing food for salmon and other species.
• A refuge for migratory birds: Port Susan Bay is a critical stopover along the Pacific Flyway, thanks to its shallow, eelgrass-rich waters.

In short, eelgrass connects the dots between species, habitats, and even global climate systems.

Eelgrass and Outdoor School: Learning by Doing

Warm Beach Camp’s Outdoor School takes science beyond textbooks. Instead of reading about ecosystems, students step directly into them—canoeing over eelgrass meadows, counting birds in the estuary, or measuring dissolved oxygen levels in the water.

Erin compares this to tasting food: “You can tell someone jerk chicken is spicy, but until they taste it, they don’t really know. The same is true for ecosystems. Reading about eelgrass is one thing. Seeing salmon dart between its blades is unforgettable.”

This place-based learning approach sparks curiosity and builds critical thinking. Students don’t just learn that eelgrass provides oxygen—they measure it. They don’t just hear about food chains—they watch herons hunting at low tide. By pairing outdoor experiences with classroom science, Warm Beach Outdoor School creates a lasting foundation for environmental stewardship.

Lessons in Connection

Studying eelgrass also shows students how everything in an ecosystem is interconnected. Eelgrass ties together carbon storage, salmon survival, bird migration, and even human activities like boating and fishing.

As Erin explains, “Knowledge changes who we are and what we choose to do. If we don’t notice ecosystems like eelgrass, we risk losing them without realizing their importance.”

Why It Matters for the Future

Outdoor School at Warm Beach Camp isn’t just about science – it’s about shaping values. Students leave with muddy boots, but also with sharpened awareness:

• That ecosystems are fragile yet resilient.
• That humans are part of nature, not separate from it.
• That protecting eelgrass means protecting salmon, birds, and ultimately, ourselves.

By learning in community—canoeing together, asking questions, and sharing discoveries—students also practice belonging and responsibility. These lessons extend beyond camp, empowering young people to make thoughtful choices about the environment in their daily lives.

Eelgrass may not be as showy as an orca or eagle, but it is one of the quiet powerhouses of the Salish Sea. At Warm Beach Camp’s Outdoor School, eelgrass isn’t just a plant—it’s a teacher. It invites students to wonder, to ask questions, and to see how life is interconnected.

And perhaps the greatest lesson is this: by noticing and valuing what’s beneath the surface, we learn not just about ecosystems, but about ourselves.

To learn more about Outdoor School at Warm Beach Camp visit WBOutdoorSchool.com or contact Erin Simmons, Outdoor School Manager, through the Outdoor School contact us.