Habitat Restoration

Community Oyster Gardening

CSHH launched its first season of community oyster gardening in 2022, inviting volunteers to directly participate in restoring their local waters by raising oysters in cages across three locations. The addition of a fourth site at the North Hempstead Beach Park in 2023 made this a harbor-wide program. At several locations around Hempstead Harbor, volunteers meet biweekly from July through September to clean the cages and track the oysters’ growth, learning about the benefits of a healthy shellfish population and engaging with their environment through hands-on community conservation work.

The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) plays an important role in marine habitats. As they feed, they improve water quality and clarity by filtering phytoplankton, bacteria, and small particles from their surroundings. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day! They also naturally grow in clusters, forming reefs that provide habitat and protection for many other species, helping to support marine biodiversity.  

The oysters grown through this program are not for consumption or commercial purposes. Once large enough, they are released into a protected area where they can live and reproduce, adding to the local population and providing environmental benefits long after the conclusion of the season.

CSHH provides all necessary materials and guidance throughout the process. All volunteers are trained at an oyster gardening orientation before the start of the program. There, volunteers will learn about the tasks they will perform as well as health and safety information. They will also be introduced to basic oyster biology, habitat and ecological relationships, and background on the cultural and economic value of oysters. At the end of the season, an event is held to celebrate the hard work of the volunteers.

Native Plantings in Glenwood Landing 

In addition to partnering with local and regional environmental groups, agencies, and municipalities to further habitat restoration efforts around Hempstead Harbor and Long Island Sound, CSHH created a pilot program that focused on improving habitat conditions through small-scale plantings in critical watershed areas. Through a grant from Patagonia in 2018, CSHH targeted properties in the Glenwood Landing subwatershed to encourage residents to reserve a portion of their properties for the installation of native plants.

Plants and plantings were provided free of charge to participants. Over a two-year period, plantings were monitored, soil tests performed, and residents were provided with information on how their individual efforts could improve soil conditions, reduce stormwater runoff, and decrease pollutant loading to Hempstead Harbor. The program was completed in 2020 and the intent is to replicate the program 10 properties at a time.