More than 110,000 oysters were planted and raised through oyster gardening in Virginia in 2024, a near-record, environmentalists said.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosts oyster gardening programs, at which volunteers become a “foster parent” for a few hundred baby oysters. After taking a seminar, volunteers can begin growing oysters using wire cages on a private dock, community pier, marina or waterfront business.
Once grown, the adult oysters are returned to the foundation to be planted on sanctuary reefs after growing for about a year. After the oysters are transplanted, oyster gardeners can begin a new batch.
Restoration of oysters help coastal communities vulnerable to sea level rise, like Hampton Roads. Living shorelines that include oyster shell reefs are a natural approach to protecting them from erosion, and healthy oyster reefs can also help protect the habitats that capture and store carbon. Oysters filter sediment and algae from the water, up to 50 gallons of water a day, increasing the clarity that is needed for Chesapeake Bay vegetation to receive enough sunlight. At the same time, they deposit nutrient-rich organic matter on the bottom that supports growth.