Hannah Claggett

My name is Hannah Claggett, and I am a first year PhD student in the MEES program at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, studying submerged aquatic vegetation restoration under the guidance of Dr. Ngeve. Since I was born and raised on the Eastern Shore on Kent Island, I feel very grateful to work to protect the waterways I grew up swimming in. I am a recent alum of the Chesapeake Conservation & Climate Corps, where I spent a year working with ShoreRivers to help restore and study waterways on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, while also connecting with the community through K-12 education and public outreach. 

Before that, I studied Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park, and had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand, where I learned about sustainable ecosystems, agriculture, and development. I’m looking forward to using my knowledge and experiences as I begin this new journey of diving deep into SAV restoration protocols, policy, and practices. 

I’m particularly interested in how we can take what we learn locally and apply it to restoration efforts around the world. Not only are seagrasses beautiful, but they are also among the most vital habitats in the world in combating the ever-growing effects of climate change. SAV acts as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon and providing oxygen for marine life, while also filtering out pathogens, bacteria, and pollutants from the waterway. Their strong root systems stabilize shorelines, protecting against erosion and strong storm surges. As sea levels rise, water temperatures warm, and water quality worsens, the health and future of these fragile SAV beds are threatened. Therefore, my goal is to better understand the specific parameters that contribute to successful SAV restoration by creating global collaborations between SAV practitioners and developing standardized protocols that can be used to successfully restore SAV beds worldwide. When I'm not wading in seagrass beds, you can find me camping at Assateague National Seashore, or trying to learn how to rock climb at the Billy Goat Trail :)