SOS: Save Our Shells!  OysterCorps’ Shell Reclamation Project

A collaborative effort between the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve--Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FloridaCorps’ OysterCorps program, Franklin County Solid Waste, and area restaurants to reclaim oyster shells collected from area restaurants for restoration projects.

What does SOS hope to accomplish?

Use oyster shells to provide natural materials to build breakwaters that protect vulnerable shorelines from erosion and restore oyster habitat. Recycling the shell also keeps them out of the restaurant’s dumpster and out of the landfill.

What is required of restaurants who agree to participate in SOS shell reclamation?

Collect the top shell of shucked oysters and store them in the 32 gallon rolling cans provided by the Corps. Place the cans outside to be picked up on Mondays and Thursdays. The buckets will be replaced with clean rolling cans. If bottom shells returning from the customer’s table are free of plastic and paper, they may be added to the cans.

What’s in it for the restaurant?

Recognition as a partner in the effort to recycle oyster shells. Participating restaurants will receive recognition via social media and printed materials that recognize their participation. Restaurants will also save on their waste disposal costs. Knowing that you and your customers support restoring local estuaries!

What is OysterCorps?

The OysterCorps, is a coastal resilience training academy focusing on oyster habitat, salt marsh, seagrass meadows, and dune ecosystem restoration across Northwest Florida as part of FloridaCorps. FloridaCorps is a dual environmental restoration program and a workforce training initiative now in its 11th year, the Conservation Corps programs have a history of completing significant environmental restoration projects, responding to disasters, and meeting critical community needs. FloridaCorps has employed, trained and provided service opportunities to over 660 young adults, earning over 1800 industry certifications, completing over 450 conservation/construction projects, and responding to 9 regional disasters. 

How does SOS work?

 After an initial orientation meeting and set up, Corps Members will come to your restaurant and collect the top shells you have saved  in the rolling cans when they are shucked. They will take them to the staging area where they will be cured and then used for building living shorelines and habitat restoration. OysterCorps also collects shells in Pensacola and Choctawhatchee Bays. Soon to be St. Andrews Bay as well!

Where can I get more information?

For more information about the program, contact Anita Grove at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Anita.Grove@dep.state.florida.us or call (850) 653-5951.