Celebrate the end of the CWQT season at the annual Golden Toilet Awards
Join New York City’s Community Water Quality Testing program at Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 Wetlab for the annual Golden Toilet Award ceremony. Celebrate a season of urban environmental science with community scientists, art workshops, and vital data reviews along the Hudson River.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
No physical exertion required; suitable for all fitness levels
Wildlife
History
Hudson River Park, established in 1998, transformed this industrial waterfront into a thriving urban waterfront park and environmental education hub.
Conservation
The CWQT program empowers citizen scientists to monitor water quality, promoting community-driven preservation of river ecosystems.
Billion Oyster Project
Celebrate the end of the CWQT season at the annual Golden Toilet Awards
Billion Oyster Project is a conservation and education initiative focused on restoring oysters in New York Harbor while engaging educators, students, and community volunteers. The Project offers a range of hands-on programs and trainings that combine fieldwork, classroom curriculum, and citizen science. Educator-focused offerings include Oyster Research Tank (ORT) Training—a 6.5-hour session that trains teachers to set up and monitor classroom oyster tanks—and Oyster Research Station (ORS) Training to equip teachers with skills to monitor oyster growth and biodiversity. Short workshops such as Oysters 101 and ORS Refresher provide two- to 2.5-hour refreshers and CTLE-credit opportunities, and some trainings include ferry travel to Governors Island.
Public programs invite volunteers to participate in ORS Monitoring, shell cleaning on Governors Island, and community water quality testing events. Volunteer roles range from collecting data on oyster health at Oyster Research Stations to spending five hours preparing shells for restoration. The Project also supports public-facing events such as the Community Water Quality Testing end-of-season celebration, featuring data review, snacks, and a paper-making workshop. Many programs emphasize inquiry-based, place-based education that connects classroom lessons to real-world marine conservation and stewardship. Training sessions promote collaboration among educators, provide hands-on activities for students, and contribute to oyster research and restoration efforts across New York Harbor. Classroom and community participants gain practical experience with oyster life cycles, habitat, monitoring techniques, and water quality testing.
Programs Offered
9
Hands-on education and restoration programs
Educator Resources
Multiple
Teacher trainings and workshops available
Training Lengths
2–6.5 hrs
Short workshops to full trainings
Restoration Focus
New York Harbor
Oyster restoration and water quality work
Sign up for educator trainings, volunteer shifts, or community monitoring events to support oyster restoration and hands-on marine learning.
Arrive Early for the Release of the Fishes
Plan to come by between 3PM and 6PM to experience another community event celebrating Hudson River aquatic life before the evening festivities.
Dress for Variable Weather
October evenings by the river can be chilly and breezy; layering is recommended for comfort during the outdoor celebration.
Engage with Volunteers
Take the opportunity to chat with experienced community scientists to learn more about water testing methods and results.
Use Public Transit or Walk
Pier 40 is best reached by subway or bike to avoid parking challenges in Manhattan’s busy west side.
Layered Clothing
Helps you stay comfortable in fluctuating autumn temperatures near the river.
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Reusable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated while mingling at the event without generating waste.
Notebook and Pen
Useful for jotting down interesting insights or contacts during discussions.
Portable Umbrella
October weather can be unpredictable, so an umbrella is practical for light rain.
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