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Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance
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Oyster Gardening

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance’s Oyster Gardening Program invites local volunteers and citizen scientists to grow oysters at docks or piers as part of a hands-on restoration effort in Choctawhatchee Bay. Volunteers raise oysters from their docks or piers using Vertical Oyster Gardens, or VOGs. CBA uses these oysters to kickstart growth on new oyster reefs that will restore vital habitat in Choctawhatchee Bay.

Volunteer Requirements

To get involved, fill out our Volunteer Form.

  • Volunteers must be free of any Fish and Game violations within the past three years.
  • Volunteers must have access to a dock or pier.
  • Volunteers must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
  • Volunteers should be able to pick up (or arrange for pick up) oyster gardens in late April / early May at the Move Your Mollusk event.
  • Volunteers should be able to spend roughly 60 minutes per week caring for their garden. A hose makes the cleaning easy, but not required. Weekly maintenance involves removing mud, algae, fouling organisms, and predators such as blue crabs and oyster drills from gardens.