Oyster Bagging Event

On October 12, 2013 our class participated in the oyster bagging event at the GTMNERR along with several other groups of volunteers. This is just one step in the GTMNERR's Oyster Shell Recycling and Living Reef Restoration Project.

Oyster Shell Recycling Program

A few local restaurants participate in the program by separating their shucked oyster shells into recycling bins which are then picked up by volunteers. The shells are brought to the site above (Middle Beach Access parking lot) to be sterilized by leaving them out in the sun for 90 days. The oyster shells are bagged and then used to restore oyster reef along the Tolomato River. The day was hot and the oyster smell was particularly strong, but overall it was a fun and interesting experience. Everyone worked really hard and as a result, over 200 bags of oyster shell were piled up at the end of the day.

Sources: http://www.gtmnerr.org/Oyster-Reef-Restoration-Project.php, http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-01-26/story/oyster-shell-recycling-project-rebuilding-shoreline-st-johns-county

Courtesy of Dr. Smith

Over 200 bags of oyster shell!!!

This coming Saturday, October 19, 2013, will be the start of our research projects. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I'm in the benthic faunal group with Julianne, Collin, and Kierstin and we plan to focus on comparing benthic invertebrate diversity and abundance between a restored and non-restored site. Before we can start sampling we will assess the sites we want to sample in and work out some of our methods. Currently, we are working on finalizing methods for measuring oyster spat settlement.