Introducing the next generation of oyster gardeners
The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor is set to offer a hands-on educational experience for its Junior Ambassadors with an upcoming oyster gardening event. Scheduled for Aug. 11,, the event will provide local students a unique opportunity to learn about the vital role oysters play in the marine ecosystem and participate in the Coalition’s ongoing environmental conservation efforts.
The Junior Ambassadors Program, launched in August 2023, is designed to engage young people in environmental stewardship. According to Lisa Cashman, associate director for the Coalition, this event marks the first time that participants in the program will be introduced to oyster gardening, a crucial initiative led by the coalition to help restore and maintain the health of Hempstead Harbor.
“This will give younger kids the chance to get a taste for oyster gardening, and see it from a different perspective,” said Cashman. “This is the ambassadors’ first direct introduction to oyster gardening.”
The event will be held at the Coalition’s North Hempstead oyster gardening site, where students will engage in a series of activities that mirror the work of the Coalition’s volunteer oyster gardeners. Participants will have the chance to clean the oyster cages, observe the diverse marine life that accumulates on the cages, and measure and document the growth of the oysters. While this session will be more of a demonstration than a typical maintenance day, students will still get a hands-on experience.
“We like to give students a real sense of what our volunteers do,” said Sarah Stromski, the coalition’s environmental monitor. “They’ll be taking cages out of the water, seeing the oysters up close, and learning about how these mollusks contribute to the health of Hempstead Harbor.”
Oyster gardening is a cornerstone of the Coalition’s conservation efforts, as it has a wide range of ecological benefits. Adult oysters can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, removing harmful substances like nitrogen, bacteria, and algae, which helps improve water quality. Additionally, oyster reefs provide essential habitats for other marine species, boosting biodiversity and enhancing the resilience of the harbor’s ecosystem.
“Our Junior Ambassadors will not only learn about these benefits but will also see the oysters in their natural habitat,” Cashman added. “This event is about fostering an appreciation for conservationism and helping students understand the positive impact they can have on their community.”
The Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor has been running its oyster gardening program for three years, with the hope that the oysters, once mature, will help repopulate the harbor. It typically takes oysters between two to four years to reach sexual maturity, at which point they begin to spawn and contribute to the growth of the local oyster population. According to Stromski, the program has seen promising results so far, with divers reporting healthy oyster growth in the harbor.
The upcoming event is open to all students registered as Junior Ambassadors, and the Coalition encourages others interested in environmental conservation to consider joining the program.
“We’re hoping that this will inspire more young people to get involved,” Cashman said. “It’s a low time commitment, but it has a high impact on the health of Hempstead Harbor.”
Parents of participants are advised to prepare their children for the day’s activities by ensuring they wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen, hats, bug spray, and plenty of drinking water.
“Be ready to get dirty,” Cashman advised. “It’s not a clean project, but it’s definitely rewarding.”
For more information on how to join the Junior Ambassadors Program or to learn more about the coalition’s work, visit their website at CoalitionToSaveHempsteadHarbor.org or follow them on social media.
