Three Ways to Help Build the Next Reef

Oyster reef restoration sounds like a job for scientists. Some of it is. But most of what it takes to build a reef comes down to ordinary people doing simple things. Here are three ways you can help.

1. Save your shells

Shell is the foundation of every reef, and we never have enough. If you shuck oysters or clams at home, rinse the shells, keep them in a bucket and drop them at one of our public shell drops. Please keep out trash, napkins, lemons and plastic.

Own or manage a restaurant? Join the partner restaurants already collecting shells with us. It's free, it keeps shells out of the landfill, and your guests will love knowing their raw bar order helps the bay. Get in touch and we'll set you up.

2. Lend a hand

Reefs are built by volunteers. We need help bagging cured shell at the hatchery, moving bags on build days, and working the community oyster gardens through the season. No experience needed. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet. Sign up to volunteer.

East Hampton residents can also grow oysters through the town's community oyster gardening program, which South Fork Sea Farmers helps support. It's the best way I know to see firsthand what oysters do for our water.

3. Fund the work

Reefs cost money: mesh bags, trucking, equipment, permits, monitoring and scholarships for the students who lead much of this work. Every dollar we raise goes back into the water and into the next generation of marine stewards.

We're in the middle of our year-end campaign right now. Give today and help us build the next reef.

See you on the water.