OUR WORK
ORE Program Areas
Oyster River Ecology’s work is centered around three core program areas that drive our mission: Oyster Habitat Restoration, Watershed Habitat Restoration, and Environmental Education.
Oyster Habitat Restoration
Our Oyster Habitat Restoration Program is making large-scale oyster reef restoration a reality for Florida’s Suncoast. We have reached a significant milestone by securing all necessary permits for our first 10-acre restoration site in the Manatee River, located at Eileen Reef. This site is the largest active oyster reef restoration project in the region and will provide critical habitat for oysters to grow, thrive, and support the broader health of the estuary.
We’ve already begun implementing restoration activities at the site by reintroducing substrates (cultch) to the river bottom by innovating a cost-effective and scalable oyster restoration technique known as Oyster Rag Pots (ORPs). ORPs serve as essential surfaces for larval oysters to settle and form a functioning reef ecosystem. With initial funding from community members, a substantial Grant from the Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund, and additional support from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, we have secured funding for the first 1.5 acres.
We are actively seeking further funding to complete the full restoration of this initial 10-acre area.
Watershed Habitat Restoration
Our Watershed Habitat Restoration Program encompasses the broader ecological restoration work we do beyond oysters—across uplands, freshwater wetlands, and other vital ecosystems. Our team brings deep technical expertise and a proven track record, with a portfolio that includes multiple regionally significant projects.
Led by our Executive Director and supported by our growing staff and experienced board members, ORE is equipped to plan, design, and implement successful habitat restoration projects large and small.
As this program expands, we aim to launch large-scale upland restoration projects, including full groundcover restoration in native ecosystems like pine flatwoods and Florida scrub. We are also highly experienced in freshwater wetland restoration, a field that will continue to grow as a central part of our work.
Environmental Education
Environmental education is woven into every aspect of our work. We believe the most effective way to ensure long-lasting ecological benefits is to inspire and involve people directly in the process. Our educational programming emphasizes experiential learning, with a particular focus on reaching individuals who may have limited exposure to the natural world.
Every project offers opportunities for volunteer involvement, youth engagement, and community outreach, enabling people to become stakeholders in environmental restoration. By making these experiences hands-on and empowering, we aim to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards who understand their ability to positively impact the world around them.