Join us as Phil Colarusso, marine biologist and diver for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), returns to provide an update following his February 2020 presentation. Joining Dr Colarusso will be Nedret Andre, an internationally recognized artist based in Boston’s South End, uses abstract painting to raise awareness of seagrass conservation.
The event, held at the Newburyport Senior/Community Center, is free and open to the public.
Featured Speakers
Dr. Phil Colarusso – The Coastal Resilience Benefits of Seagrass
With over 35 years in seagrass conservation, Dr. Colarusso is a leading expert in coastal ecosystems’ role in carbon sequestration and storm protection. His research highlights:
Climate Change Mitigation – Seagrass absorbs carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.
Coastal Protection – Its dense root systems reduce erosion and dissipate wave energy by up to 40%.
Marine Biodiversity – Seagrass serves as a nursery for marine life, supporting up to 40% more species than surrounding waters.
Returning after his well-received 2020 talk, Dr. Colarusso will share five years of groundbreaking research.
Nedret Andre – Translating Science into Art
Nedret Andre, an internationally recognized artist based in Boston’s South End, uses abstract painting to raise awareness of seagrass conservation. Informed by collaborations with marine ecologists, her work visually interprets the movement and function of eelgrass meadows, fostering appreciation for these essential habitats. Learn more at www.nedretandre.com.
Event Details
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM (light refreshments); presentation at 7:00 PM, followed by Q&A
Location: Newburyport Senior/Community Center, 331 High Street
Broadcast: Live on NCM-HUB Channel 9; later on YouTube and storm-surge.org
Admission: Free; RSVP requested at https://tinyurl.com/mudttm5n
Speaker Backgrounds
Dr. Phil Colarusso has worked at EPA Region 1 for over 35 years as a marine biologist and scuba diver. His work spans water quality, fisheries, and regulatory efforts, with a strong focus on seagrass research, restoration, and conservation. He has conducted studies on fish populations utilizing eelgrass, mapped eelgrass using satellite imagery, and examined the role of eelgrass in carbon sequestration. Dr. Colarusso was one of six U.S. representatives on the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Blue Carbon steering committee (2012-2016) and has hosted the annual seagrass conference Zosterapalooza for 34 years.
Nedret Andre holds an MFA from Maine College of Art and integrates ecological themes into her paintings. Since 2015 Nedret's solo exhibitions have featured collaborations with her ecologist’s friends where she invites different marine biologists to present the seagrass work they do in the field. Nedret provides a platform for seagrass awareness and action. Her work has been featured in public and private art collections including, JP Morgan, Beth Isreal Medical Center, and Lassel Village. Nedret’s paintings have also been reviewed in Art New England and ArtScope Magazine. Several of her paintings are also featured in Out of the Blue, a UN Environmental Program focused on Seagrass. She received a Chashama Grant for Environmental Work in 2017 and a Fort Point Artist Community, Grant for Protecting our Seagrass Habitat, for a community based paper installation project.