EWC Environmental Speaker Series "Our Underwater Rainforests"

Celebrate Our Underwater Backyard During World Ocean Week Featuring Our Underwater Rainforests: Eelgrass Sustains the Salish Sea

The Environmental Speaker Series at the Edmonds Waterfront Center (EWC) continues with an inspiring and science-driven presentation by Olivia J. Graham, a leading voice in eelgrass research and coastal ecosystem resilience, for an evening exploring the “rainforests” of our local waters. Hosted by ocean advocate and filmmaker Annie Crawley, this event invites the community to discover the hidden underwater habitats that sustain life in the Salish Sea. The event takes place Thursday, June 11, 2026, with doors opening at 6:00 PM and the presentation beginning at 6:30 PM.

Often called the “rainforests of the Salish Sea,” eelgrass meadows are among the most vital—and overlooked—ecosystems in our region. These underwater plants provide nursery habitat for juvenile salmon, support herring populations, stabilize shorelines, and play a critical role in carbon sequestration. We have acres of it just outside the EWC extending all the way north of Edmonds Underwater Park. Dr. Graham will help everyone understand it’s importance. Like many marine habitats, they face increasing pressures from climate change, pollution, and coastal development.

Dr. Graham, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cornell University and incoming researcher at Friday Harbor Labs, brings cutting-edge science to this conversation. She’s been conducting field- and lab-based research in the Salish Sea, focusing on the health and resilience of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows. Her work bridges science and storytelling—translating complex ecological processes into meaningful insights for communities who depend on these waters.

In this engaging presentation, Dr. Graham will explore:

• Why eelgrass meadows are essential to the survival of salmon, orcas, and coastal biodiversity

• How environmental stressors impact eelgrass health and what resilience looks like in a changing ocean

• What current research at Friday Harbor Labs is revealing about the future of these ecosystems

• How local communities can play a role in protecting and restoring eelgrass habitats

“This series is about helping people see what lies below the surface of our everyday lives,” says Crawley. “Eelgrass may not be as visible as forests on land, but it is just as essential. When we understand that, we begin to care—and when we care, we take action.”

About Dr. Olivia J. Graham

Dr. Olivia J. Graham, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cornell University and at Friday Harbor Labs. She’s currently conducting research here in Washington’s Salish Sea. Through field- and lab-based experiments, she studies the health and resilience of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows—critical habitats that support biodiversity, fisheries, and climate stability. Dr. Graham is passionate about translating science into meaningful stories that inspire conservation and community engagement.

About Annie Crawley

Annie Crawley—known as Ocean Annie—is an award-winning filmmaker, underwater photographer, author, and educator who connects people to nature through visual storytelling, education, and ocean advocacy. A member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, she leads the Our Ocean and You campaign and curates this Environmental Speaker Series, bringing science and storytelling together to inspire environmental stewardship. Learn more at www.AnnieCrawley.com and www.YouTube.com/AnnieCrawley

Subtitles and Closed Captioning will be provided for our guests who are deaf and hard of hearing. The EWC also offers Assistive Listening devices available to check out or connect with your smart phone.

Reserve your seat online ~ walk-ins are welcome the night of the event based on available seating.

ONLINE TICKET SALES END AT 4pm ON THURSDAY, JUNE 11

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Host or Publisher Edmonds Waterfront Center