The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the Coastal Conservation League are teaming up to educate Lowcountry students on the benefits of oyster shell recycling. This initiative will involve over 90 ninth-grade students from Porter Gaud School, who will participate in an oyster reef restoration project on Monday afternoon.
During the event, students will place approximately 300 to 350 bags filled with recycled oyster shells along the shorelines near the SCDNR facility.
.@SCDNR has an oyster shell recycling program where the public can drop off shells at different locations. They also pick up shells from 27 restaurants in the Tri-County, twice a week! #chsnews pic.twitter.com/VdTz92qYZE
— Karina Bolster (@KarinaHCPD) December 7, 2017
These bags help restore oyster habitats by providing a structure for juvenile oysters to attach, which in turn helps to rebuild natural reefs. The restoration efforts are crucial as they filter large volumes of water, protect shorelines from erosion, and support diverse marine ecosystems. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.
The SCDNR collects used oyster shells from various sources including restaurants, oyster roasts, and public drop-off locations, repurposing them to enhance oyster habitats. While the upcoming event with Porter Gaud students is a closed session, the SCDNR and Coastal Conservation League offer numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year for those interested in supporting environmental conservation efforts.
You can check out more info on the SCORE program here.
