SGSNY Members Help Restore Life to New York Harbor

On a bright and sunny Friday, April 10, members of the St. George’s Society volunteered with the Billion Oyster Project (BOP) on Governor’s Island.

It was an incredibly rewarding experience. Our team rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on day of cleaning, sorting, and quality-checking oyster shells, essential work that directly supports BOP’s restoration efforts.

A Day at the Shell Pile

Our journey began with a quick ferry ride to Governors Island, followed by a walk to the "Shell Pile," which was even more massive than we anticipated (as seen in our photos!). Upon arrival, Mikey from BOP provided a fascinating overview of the project’s mission, the storied history of oysters in New York Harbor, and several surprising facts about these "ecosystem engineers."

Why Oysters Matter

The Billion Oyster Project aims to restore oyster populations to self-sustaining levels. These bivalves are vital to the city's waterways because they naturally purify the harbor, creating a healthier environment for marine life, creating habitats that have already invited the return of seahorses, pipefish, and crabs, and acting as natural storm barriers to reduce flooding and erosion.

To date, the project has restored over 140 million oysters, and the ecological recovery is already visible.

Get Involved

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers for their time, energy, and hard work. It was inspiring to contribute to a local initiative that has made such a tangible impact on our city’s environment. We look forward to partnering with BOP again soon, hopefully with even more members in tow!

Take a look at all the photos from the day here!

If you’re interested in participating in future volunteer events with St. George’s Society, check out how to become a member.