Engaging Our Community
In 2022, Billion Oyster Project connected 8,500 people from communities throughout New York City to our restoration and education initiatives through volunteering, hands-on engagement at our field stations, water quality sampling, monitoring oyster research stations, and tabling at public events.
Field Stations
Billion Oyster Project has a dozen Field Stations where we have oyster structures, funding for engagement, and regularly host scheduled programming.
In 2022, 2,556 community members (including 1,140 students) attended 463 events at Billion Oyster Project Field Stations!
Community Science
In 2022, we trained 93 people on ORS monitoring protocols. This number includes 35 educators, 11 volunteer ambassadors and 46 community scientists.
Billion Oyster Project has also taken the lead on the Community Water Quality Testing (CWQT) Program, which teamed up with partner labs, universities, and community scientists to test water samples from 69 sites on a weekly basis from May-October.
Volunteers
In 2022, we hosted 117 public volunteer events at which 1,346 public volunteers donated 6,306 hours of time! Volunteers cleaned shell, filled supertrays (pictured right), and fabricated oyster structures like Gabions and Oyster Research Stations.
This year, we trained 40 Ambassadors at 10 training events.
Corporate Volunteers
In 2022, we hosted 59 corporate volunteer days, engaging 1,200 people from 50 organizations who contributed a combined 2,400 hours of service.
2022 volunteer projects included fabricating mesh inserts for a new installation at the Gansevoort peninsula and cleaning recycled oyster shell for use in upcoming restoration work.
We imagine a future in which New York Harbor is the center of a rich, diverse, and abundant estuary. The communities that surround this complex ecosystem have helped construct it, and in return benefit from it, with endless opportunities for work, education, and recreation. The harbor is a world-class public space, well used and well cared for — our Commons.
Special Events
Billion Oyster Party — September 29
Nearly 1,300 guests joined us for our 8th annual Billion Oyster Party, hosted on Thursday, Sept. 29, at Building 269 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The Billion Oyster Party is the ultimate oyster-eating celebration and education experience.
Guests interacted with 45 oyster farmers and chefs from 21 top NYC restaurants that participate in our shell collection program, while enjoying live music and learning more about the work of Billion Oyster Project.
We hope that you will continue to be part of our team as we work together to rebuild natural systems and redefine the relationship between our city and the nature around it.