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corporate volunteer days

on governors island
Corporate volunteer days are hosted April through October, Tuesday–Thursday, with bookings typically opening early in the new calendar year.
activities overview
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book now
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Volunteers tying rope among rows of concrete reef balls at an assembly event
Image Message
Join
Volunteers in red shirts sorting oyster shells at a table beside the tumbler machine
Large white opening quotation marks
Billion Oyster Project puts on the best volunteer days I've ever experienced. The whole team is so passionate, engaging, and fun."
Annabel Bradley
Group Volunteer Lead
Volunteer shoveling recycled oyster shells into a crate at the base of a shell pile
Cleaned oyster shells pouring from a perforated tumbler drum onto a sorting table
Gloved volunteers inspecting an oyster shell over a crate at a shell sorting event

Participate in Restoring Our Urban Estuary

This is more than a volunteer day.
Corporate volunteer events offer hands-on restoration activities while giving your team a tangible role in the future of New York Harbor. Volunteer days directly support oyster reef restoration via work that improves water quality, increases marine biodiversity, strengthens shoreline resilience, and positions New York as a model for urban coastal restoration worldwide.

Please note, these days are designed for your adult staff members (18+). Please direct any interested youth in your lives to our Education Resources.
explore the itinerary
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learn about the harbor

Explore how oysters act as a keystone species and how they shaped our city while building a lasting connection to the environment.

create visible impact

Contribute directly to reef components that will be deployed into active restoration sites. Your hands-on work is vital to pushing restoration forward.

lead with purpose

Align your organization with one of the most ambitious urban restoration initiatives in the country and understand your role in protecting it.

advance climate leadership

Support restoration efforts that strengthen New York’s shoreline resilience, marine biodiversity, and water quality.

get hands-on with restoration

At our headquarters on Governors Island, your team will contribute directly to active restoration efforts - from preparing oyster shell for deployment to building reef structures to supporting the maintenance of our fabrication facilities.
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Sorting Shell

Removing debris from collected shells to prepare them for restoration. This step ensures only clean, usable material becomes part of the reef-building process.
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Shoveling Shell

Moving shell substrate into position for processing. Volunteers help handle the raw material that will ultimately become the foundation of new oyster habitats.
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Cleaning Shell

Using a mechanical tumbler to wash and refine shell substrate. This step prepares shells to safely support marine life in the harbor.
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Crushing Shell

Breaking down shells into smaller pieces that can be used in concrete reef structures. This material becomes a key ingredient in building durable habitats.
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Mixing Concrete

Combining shell and concrete to create the base material for reef structures. Volunteers help produce the building blocks of restoration.
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Casting Reef Structures

Filling molds with the shell-concrete mixture and releasing formed pieces. These structures will be deployed in the harbor to support oyster growth.
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Managing Shell Inventory

Organizing and moving shell trays to keep the workflow running efficiently. This ensures the entire restoration process stays on track.
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Site Clean Up

Maintaining and organizing the shell pile and warehouse spaces by removing debris and supporting general upkeep. This work helps keep our operations running smoothly and ensures a safe, efficient environment for restoration activities.

What your volunteer day looks like

Arrival & Harbor Education

01
9:15
AM

Arrival time at BMB

Arrive at the Battery Maritime Building to meet your designated Billion Oyster Project staff lead and get oriented to the day.

9:30
AM

Ferry to Governors Island

Governors Island Ferry tickets and boarding assistance included.

10
AM
–
10:45
AM

Walking tour, education about us, New York Harbor, and oysters

Tour + mission. Behind-the-scenes tour of Billion Oyster Project facilities and engaging education about the history of New York Harbor, New York City, and the oyster and why oysters are a critical and exciting ecosystem hero.

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I didn’t know this much nature was right here in New York, in my backyard!”
7th grade student
south brooklyn, name of program

Hands-on Restoration

02
10:45
AM
–
12:15
PM

Volunteer work project at BOP Shell Pile

It's time to get your hands dirty! After a safety overview, our Fabrication team will lead your group in hands-on activities that directly support our active restoration projects and reef sites for the season. All work is supervised by BOP staff and PPE is provided.

Large white opening quotation marks
I didn’t know this much nature was right here in New York, in my backyard!”
7th grade student
south brooklyn, name of program

Relax & Refuel

03
12:30
PM

Catered Lunch

Group wrap-up + your impact explained. Catered team lunch included.

1:15
PM

Ferry to Manhattan

Tickets provided.

1:15
PM

Oyster Happy Hour*

Unlimited oysters and open bar for your team after an exciting day of learning and hands-on restoration work. Duration 2 hrs.

\*Paid Add-on

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My favorite part of the experience was seeing the huge piles of shells and learning about how successful the project has been in restoring local reefs… and meeting other weirdos!
Anonymous
Volunteer
Worker in a Billion Oyster Project hard hat climbing a mountain of recycled oyster shells
Corporate Volunteering

Aw, shucks

this season is fully booked

Corporate volunteer days are sold out for the rest of the season. Bookings reopen for the 2027 season — reach out now and we'll make sure your team is first in line when the tide turns.

interested in booking next year?

Here's what we offer:

Collaborative Volunteer Session

"Half Shell"
•
$7,500
For smaller teams up to 15 people — volunteer collaboratively alongside another small team.

dedicated volunteer session

"Big Oyster"
•
$10,000
For larger teams — a private, dedicated volunteer experience with a Billion Oyster Project team member focused on just your team for the day.

add-on: oyster happy hour

Add-on
•
$3,000
Celebrate on the Harbor after volunteering — freshly shucked oysters, open bar, and views of the harbor and Manhattan skyline.
All packages include a tour, project work, ferry tickets, and catered lunch.
Get in touch for 2027
Thank you to our recent partners who have volunteered!

can't come out to the island?

Bring the Harbor to your team.
For teams with limited time or travel constraints, Billion Oyster Project offers in-office programs that connect your organization directly to the work happening in New York Harbor. History, science, and future of New York Harbor. Perfect for teams interested in sustainability, climate resilience, and local environmental leadership.
inquire
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Freshly shucked oysters on ice with lemon wedges and seaweed at a raw bar

in office engagement: The Future of New York Harbor

Bring Billion Oyster Project educators to your office for a personalized informative session with optional oyster pairings available through our restaurant partners - because it's always better over food.
discuss an in-office event
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A gloved server garnishes platters of oysters on crushed ice at a raw bar

Oyster Happy Hour & Shucking Workshop

In partnership with our oyster farm collaborators, Billion Oyster Project leads an education experience, over guided tastings and a hands-on shucking workshop.
book a workshop
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Looking for something more unique?

Looking for something beyond a traditional volunteer day? Billion Oyster Project offers custom experiences that bring your team behind the scenes of one of the country's most ambitious urban restoration efforts—from hands-on restoration work to private boat tours, field experiences, and thought-provoking conversations with our experts.

Inquire

Looking for something more unique?

Looking for something beyond a traditional volunteer day? Billion Oyster Project offers custom experiences that bring your team behind the scenes of one of the country's most ambitious urban restoration efforts—from hands-on restoration work to private boat tours, field experiences, and thought-provoking conversations with our experts.

inquire

Frequently Asked Questions

What should we wear?

Your Billion Oyster Project volunteer day takes place entirely outdoors on Governors Island. All equipment and safety gear is provided. Please wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or a little wet, and closed-toed shoes are required — boots are even better. Depending on the weather, you may also want items like a rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, and sun protection. We provide sunscreen and bug spray on site. After booking, we’ll send a detailed preparation email with additional recommendations for your group.

What about really bad weather?

Your safety and enjoyment are our first priority. We will work with you to reschedule your event if the weather will impact your team's safety in participating in the restoration activities.

What should we wear?

Your Billion Oyster Project volunteer day takes place entirely outdoors on Governors Island. All equipment and safety gear is provided. Please wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or a little wet, and closed-toed shoes are required — boots are even better. Depending on the weather, you may also want items like a rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, and sun protection. We provide sunscreen and bug spray on site. After booking, we’ll send a detailed preparation email with additional recommendations for your group.

What about really bad weather?

Your safety and enjoyment are our first priority. We will work with you to reschedule your event if the weather will impact your team's safety in participating in the restoration activities.

Are volunteer days accessible?

Our volunteer days are active, hands-on experiences that often involve standing for extended periods, working outdoors, and lifting materials (anywhere from 15-50 lbs). Because activities vary based on restoration needs, accessibility can differ from day to day. We do our best to support participation where possible, including offering golf cart transportation between the ferry and work site. We welcome volunteers of all abilities and encourage participants to engage at a level that feels comfortable for them. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, we encourage you to reach out in advance so we can discuss what to expect.

read all faqs
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Interested in supporting in other ways?

There are many ways to support Billion Oyster Project beyond corporate volunteering. Whether through partnerships, attending events, shell recycling, membership, donations, or advocacy, every contribution helps restore New York Harbor and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

learn more