Rehabilitating oyster reefs can help reset the balance of coastal ecosystems and revitalize biodiversity, both on land and underwater. For such a small animal, oysters have a pretty big impact on their surrounding environment. They are a keystone species and offer crucial ecosystem services, like improving our water quality, providing habitat for diverse marine life, and sheltering coastal communities from storm damage, flooding, and erosion.
Here are some ways you can take action to help restore oyster reefs and support coastal restoration.
Volunteer with the Billion Oyster Project
Help the Billion Oyster Project restore oyster reefs to the New York Harbor. More than 1 million live oysters have been restored through the efforts of community volunteers, including 11,000 NYC students. Join one of their many public education initiatives today!
Help the Billion Oyster Project restore oyster reefs to the New York Harbor. More than 1 million live oysters have been restored through the efforts of community volunteers, including 11,000 NYC students. Join one of their many public education initiatives today!
Get involved at billionoysterproject.org
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Join the Oyster Recovery Project
Live in the Chesapeake Bay region? Help the Oyster Recovery Project restore the Bay’s native oyster population by building sanctuary reefs, rebuilding public fishery reefs, supporting the aquaculture (oyster farming) industry, recycling oyster shells, and getting the public involved through hands-on volunteering and events.
Get involved by visiting oysterrecovery.org/getinvolved
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Help the Wild Oyster Project
West coast residents can also contribute to oyster reef restoration. The Wild Oyster project is working together as a community of oyster lovers to restore wild oysters to the San Francisco Bay. Become a Wild Oyster Ambassador and help engage restaurants, monitor oyster reefs, and inspire others in your community.
Learn more at wildoysters.org/volunteer
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Support Sustainable Seafood
While you wouldn’t want to eat the oysters from New York Harbor just yet, oysters from cleaner waters are a delicacy that have been enjoyed for thousands of years. If you enjoy eating oysters, make sure they are sustainably sourced by keeping an eye out for the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) blue fish label or by asking where they’re from.
Learn More at msc.org
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Start Your Own Coastal Restoration Project
Live near an ocean or other body of water? You can start your own coastal restoration project with this handy toolkit from the NOAA and Restore America’s Estuaries.
Take action at restoreyourcoast.org
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