Oyster Restoration Efforts Thrive This Summer With Help From Scouts, Students, Contractors, And Volunteers

ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — Thousands of oysters planted, dozens of reef balls deployed, and dozens of local volunteers stepping up — the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association (SMRWA) marked one of its most impactful oyster restoration seasons this summer.

In collaboration with local scouts, students, contractors, and residents, SMRWA advanced its mission to improve water quality and habitat health across the St. Mary’s River and Breton Bay.

On June 19, more than a dozen scouts from Leonardtown’s Troop 420 helped plant over 30,000 juvenile oysters in the St. Mary’s River. The oysters were raised by local residents through the Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) program, which encourages waterfront property owners to care for young oysters in cages tied to their docks.

After eight to nine months of tending, the oysters were moved to their permanent home west of Horseshoe Point in the St. Mary’s River Oyster Sanctuary.

The day before, SMRWA partnered with BIRCH Marine Construction to deploy 58 concrete reef balls. These hollow structures mimic natural reefs and support oyster settlement while also providing shelter for aquatic life.

Materials were donated by Chaney Enterprises, and many of the reef balls were built by local youth through SMRWA’s school and camp partnerships.

In June, 60 sixth graders from Chesapeake Public School participated in reef ball construction at Greenwell Fishing Camp, learning firsthand how oysters benefit the Chesapeake Bay and how reef structures aid their survival. Their enthusiasm culminated in spontaneous chants of “oysters, oysters, oysters” — a highlight of the summer.

The work continues in September. On Saturday, Sept. 13, SMRWA will host a large-scale oyster planting in Breton Bay, using nearly one million spat-on-shell oysters raised in its 1,000-gallon nursery tank at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. After maturing in river shallows, the oysters are now ready for transfer to a sanctuary site near Lover’s Point.

Volunteers will gather at Abell’s Wharf at 10 a.m. to help load and ferry the oysters by boat. Additional help is also needed earlier in the day at the St. Mary’s College River Center to assist with loading.

This local effort is part of a larger regional push led by the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, which aims to add 10 billion new oysters to the Bay by the end of 2025. SMRWA’s work in raising, planting, and protecting oysters contributes directly to that goal, helping to improve water quality and strengthen habitat throughout the watershed.

For more details or to sign up, visit smrwa.org or contact emma@smrwa.org.