Public Volunteer Day
Get hands-on with harbor restoration — clean shells, fabricate reef balls, and maintain the shell pile on Governors Island.
Free
16+
5 Hours
Get hands-on with harbor restoration — clean shells, fabricate reef balls, and maintain the shell pile on Governors Island.
Join us for a hands-on volunteer day with the Billion Oyster Project! Help restore NYC's harbor by cleaning shell substrate, fabricating reef balls, or maintaining the shell pile for the busy season ahead. Shell cleaning involves washing, shaking, and loading shells that will later be seeded with juvenile oysters. Reef ball fabrication includes mixing eco-concrete and filling molds to create new reef structures. You may also assist with shell pile maintenance by clearing debris and organizing materials and equipment. Every task is crucial to the project's success, and you'll be making a direct impact on the restoration of the harbor's oyster population while getting a little messy in the process!
What's Included: We will provide all of the necessary tools and safety gear (including gloves, hearing and eye protection).
What to Wear/Bring: You should wear close-toed shoes (preferably waterproof) and clothes you don't mind getting dirty, wet, or scratched. Anticipate getting dirty or wet and having to climb up or down rocks to get down to or up from the shoreline. Please dress appropriately! We suggest you bring a reusable water bottle and a bagged lunch/snack. We will provide work gloves and garbage bags at the event, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Itinerary
Tuesday - Thursday Schedule
Friday - Saturday Schedule
Please note: We reserve public volunteer days for the general public only. It would be unfair to allow any affiliated/corporate groups to sign up on these days as we do corporate/private volunteer days on Governors Island that can be customized based on your needs.
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.
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.
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.
A thriving reef cluster, building habitat for generations
