About Us
Our Story
Growing up fishing, diving, and surfing along the East Coast, I spent countless hours exploring Florida's estuaries, marveling at their beauty and abundance. These environments shaped my childhood and instilled in me a deep appreciation for the natural world.
However, growing up in this generation also meant witnessing the steady destruction of these ecosystems due to human actions. Seeing the degradation of the estuaries I cherished was heartbreaking, and it fueled my determination to make a difference.
While attending Louisiana State University, I pursued internships in Florida that immersed me in the world of seagrass restoration and the broader environmental restoration industry. These experiences opened my eyes to the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect and rehabilitate coastal ecosystems.
It was during this time that I realized the importance of developing innovative methods to restore and support these vital habitats. Coastal Bluegrass Solutions was born from this vision—to ensure that future generations can continue to experience and value the beauty, bounty, and importance of our coastal environments.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect and restore coastal ecosystems by advancing sustainable aquaculture practices, cultivating marine organisms for ecological restoration, and reducing the demand for wild-harvested species. Through these efforts, we aim to foster healthier oceans and more resilient coastal environments for future generation
Our Vision
To restore and protect coastal ecosystems through innovative, sustainable practices, ensuring vibrant and resilient estuaries for future generations. We envision a world where thriving seagrass beds, healthy marine life, and resilient coastal environments are valued and preserved, contributing to a balanced relationship between nature and humanity.
Our Unique Perspective
A Holistic Approach to Coastal Restoration
At Coastal Bluegrass Solutions, we combine seagrass restoration, sustainable aquaculture, community education, and blue carbon initiatives into an integrated strategy that creates lasting ecological and community impact. By bridging the gap between habitat restoration and aquaculture, we cultivate seagrass alongside complementary marine species like oysters and shrimp, enhancing ecosystem health and reducing reliance on wild harvests. Our projects also focus on quantifying and monetizing the carbon sequestration benefits of restored seagrass meadows, tapping into emerging blue carbon markets to support climate change mitigation. Through workshops, training sessions, and public outreach, we inspire collective action and foster community-driven conservation. By addressing critical gaps such as scalable restoration methods and innovative aquaculture practices, we deliver science-driven, impactful solutions that set us apart in the coastal restoration sector.
Our Team
Connor Max Ramming – Founder
Dr.Conor Macdonnel – Director/Lead Researcher
Dr.Conor Macdonnel – Director/Lead Researcher
Connor grew up fishing, diving, and surfing along Florida’s Coast, which inspired his passion for coastal restoration. After earning a degree in Applied Coastal Environmental Science from Louisiana State University, where he worked in the Glaspie Benthic Ecology Lab, Connor gained hands-on experience with seagrass restoration, aquaculture
Connor grew up fishing, diving, and surfing along Florida’s Coast, which inspired his passion for coastal restoration. After earning a degree in Applied Coastal Environmental Science from Louisiana State University, where he worked in the Glaspie Benthic Ecology Lab, Connor gained hands-on experience with seagrass restoration, aquaculture, and ecosystem monitoring through internships with the Saint Johns River Water Management District and Florida Oceanographic Society. As the founder of Coastal Bluegrass Solutions, Connor combines science and community collaboration to create innovative solutions for restoring coastal ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and building climate resilience.
Dr.Conor Macdonnel – Director/Lead Researcher
Dr.Conor Macdonnel – Director/Lead Researcher
Dr.Conor Macdonnel – Director/Lead Researcher
Dr. Conor MacDonnell is a marine ecologist with expertise in seagrasses and their vital role in both marine ecosystems and coastal communities. He holds a B.S. from William and Mary, an M.S. from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where he studied the roles of mangroves in methane production and water quality improvement, and a Ph.D. i
Dr. Conor MacDonnell is a marine ecologist with expertise in seagrasses and their vital role in both marine ecosystems and coastal communities. He holds a B.S. from William and Mary, an M.S. from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where he studied the roles of mangroves in methane production and water quality improvement, and a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Sciences from the University of Florida. His research focused on evaluating the effectiveness of seagrass restoration techniques in subtropical environments. Dr. MacDonnell is passionate about enhancing restoration efforts and incorporating public outreach to promote awareness of coastal ecosystems. Additionally, he directed the award-winning short documentary Emerald Sanctuary, which emphasizes the importance of seagrasses to Florida's environment and cultural heritage. He serves as a board director for Coastal Bluegrass Solutions.
Dr.Cassandra Glaspie – Director
Dr.Conor Macdonnel – Director/Lead Researcher
Dr.Cassandra Glaspie – Director
Dr. Cassandra Glaspie is a marine ecologist whose research focuses on coastal and estuarine benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms and the effects of environmental changes on ecological interactions. She earned a Bachelor's in Zoology from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science a
Dr. Cassandra Glaspie is a marine ecologist whose research focuses on coastal and estuarine benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms and the effects of environmental changes on ecological interactions. She earned a Bachelor's in Zoology from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William & Mary. Dr. Glaspie's work integrates laboratory, field, and modeling approaches to investigate critical issues such as hypoxia, estuarine acidification, predator-prey dynamics, and the impact of invasive species like lionfish. Her recent publications include studies on the role of shifting salinities in benthic community restructuring and the temperature tipping points in hypoxic zones. She has authored research published in prestigious journals like Marine Ecology Progress Series and Estuaries and Coasts. Dr. Glaspie is committed to advancing coastal restoration and ecosystem health, and she serves as a director on the board of Coastal Bluegrass Solutions.
