Written by Charles Chen
On August 10, 2024, AYLUS Oyster Bay gathered at the Eagle Dock Foundation located in Cold Spring Harbor to learn about the importance of oyster gardens and help measure the growth of these remarkable marine creatures. The Oyster Garden Protection program focuses on “gardening” oysters in secure floats near water areas, providing environmental benefits such as restoring oyster populations, enhancing water quality, and supporting local shellfish communities.
Volunteers from the AYLUS Oyster Bay measured oyster growth in each cage and calculated the average increase for the season, then returned them to their enclosures and released them back into the water. In addition to measuring growth, volunteers cleaned the cages, released the oysters sticking to the cages, removed sea squirts, and secured the cages in the water for ongoing observation.
These efforts not only improved the marine environment but also gave volunteers valuable experience in supporting local aquatic habitats. Members of AYLUS gained a deeper understanding of the importance of monitoring shellfish growth and its impact on local waterways, underscoring their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Gratitude to the following 11 volunteers, totaling 22.5 volunteer hours collectively.
Pengyu Chen 2.5hrs, Amanda Li 2 hrs, Katherine Yao 2 hrs, Li Mink 2 hrs, Li Ma 2 hrs, Vicky Zheng 2 hrs, Wendy Lai 2hrs, Winnie Lai 2hrs, William Lai 2 hrs, Lisa Chen 2hrs, Gao Yu 2 hrs, Christina Mink 2 hrs
