Promoting coastal habitat recovery through active restoration is an important component of tackling biodiversity loss and adapting to climate change, but a purely scientific approach to restoration can overlook the diversity of cultural values that depend on healthy ecosystems and even lead to conflict between scientists and other ecosystem users. In a collaboration between scientists and local Indigenous groups, we are developing a culturally appropriate restoration project for the endangered seagrass Posidonia australis in NSW estuaries. Two-way knowledge sharing methods such as focus group discussions (yarning), on-Country walks, and collaborative art making have strengthened relationships between Indigenous knowledge holders and scientists. Learning from one another, we attempt to articulate the cultural values of seagrass according to Traditional Owners, showing that seagrass meadows are important sites for cultural education, food provision, and Creation and Songline stories. By combining local Indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge science in a bio-cultural approach, restoration can improve the marine environment in ways that strengthen the health, wellbeing, and identity of Saltwater Peoples.