Orange County Coastkeeper volunteers to lay oyster beds across the Newport Beach coastline as part of the organization’s “Living Shorelines” project. In collaboration with Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach, this project revitalizes eelgrass and oyster populations to improve marine habitat and public health in Orange County.
Restoration of oysters is critical to the health and resiliency of the Newport Bay ecosystem. Oysters increase the abundance of fish and wildlife through their creation of complex habitat and improvement of water quality through filter feeding. They also stabilize sediments and buffer erosion, and wave energy, which can reduce the impacts of sea level rise.
Chains of volunteers passing oysters from the shore to the restoration site in the water
Oysters support healthy fish and wildlife populations and improve water quality
WHO:
- Katie Nichols, Marine Restoration Director
- Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach students
- Volunteers
WHERE/WHEN:
- Westcliff Park, Newport Beach, CA 92660
- Friday, June 7: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Volunteers laying oyster shell down on the mud
RSVP to matt@coastkeeper.org with your shoe size for rubber boots
20 YEARS OF ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER: For twenty years, Southern California residents have relied on Orange County Coastkeeper to be their leading voice in protecting clean water. The organization works collaboratively with diverse groups in the public and private sectors to achieve healthy, accessible, and sustainable water resources for the region. Coastkeeper achieves this through innovative, effective programs in education, advocacy, restoration, research, enforcement, and conservation.
Coastkeeper is a member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance, which has 236 different independent programs across 29 countries. For more information, visit www.coastkeeper.org or call 714-850-1965.
Photo Credits: Matt Sylvester
