Join the Billion Oyster Project at New York Harbor to help restore oyster populations through hands-on research and conservation. Experience the waterway’s natural potential while contributing to a vital ecological effort.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–4 hours
Fitness Level
Open to all fitness levels; mainly standing and light movement
Wildlife
History
The harbor has played a central role in New York’s maritime history since the 17th century, evolving from a commercial hub to a site of ecological restoration.
Conservation
The Billion Oyster Project emphasizes sustainable practices, contributing to the restoration of natural oyster reefs and promoting urban water quality improvements.
Billion Oyster Project
Join the Billion Oyster Project at New York Harbor to help restore oyster populations through hands-on research and conservation. Experience the waterway’s natural potential while contributing to a vital ecological effort.
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.
Wear waterproof clothing
Get prepared for splashes and wet conditions at the oyster station.
Bring sun protection
Use hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to stay comfortable during outdoor monitoring.
Dress in layers
Weather can change quickly along the waterfront—layer up for comfort.
Arrive early in the day
Morning hours often provide the quietest conditions for observation and data collection.
Waterproof clothing
Protects against splashes and inclement weather during station activities.
Sunscreen and hat
Helps prevent sunburn during outdoor station work.
summer
Notebook and pen
Use to record observations and data during monitoring.
Sturdy footwear
Provides support and stability on dockside and uneven surfaces.