Join us with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ oyster team and Charleston Waterkeeper volunteers to help sort trash out of the recycled oyster shell piles! Oyster shells can (and should) be recycled and used by SCDNR to build new oyster reefs, which help keep our waterways healthy and shorelines protected. But they must be clean and free of trash.
Recycled oyster shell is collected from oyster roasts and restaurants all over the state and deposited at SCDNR’s shell quarantine site in North Charleston. Quarantining the shell, for at least six months, allows the sun to bake away any disease ensuring harmful pathogens are not introduced into our waterways. During this period, SCDNR conducts trash picking events where volunteers sort trash from the recycled shell as it VERY trashy when it arrives.
Please remember to:
- Bring a picture ID
- Wear closed-toed shoes (no crocs or sandals)
- Wear clothes that can get a little messy and are appropriate for that day’s weather
- Bring a water bottle (refill station on-site)
- Sign this waiver and bring it with you or email it back to Rachel. Extra waivers will be provided on the day of the event.
Gloves, buckets, trash pickers, sunscreen, and bug spray will be provided.
We will meet in the parking lot on the corner of Noisette Boulevard and Turnbull Avenue (see attached map). Then, we will caravan over to the shell quarantine site at the port. Participants must be over the age of 10, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian and identified as a minor to port authority (name and age) prior to event. Send me an email at [email protected] if bringing someone between 10-18 years old. First and last names of each participant will be emailed by SCDNR to the port authority prior to event date.
This is a great way to get outside and help keep our waterways clean and healthy!
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions at [email protected].