# Billion Oyster Project

> Billion Oyster Project is a New York City nonprofit restoring oyster reefs across New York Harbor and helping students and communities become long-term stewards of the harbor.

Billion Oyster Project designs, permits, builds, and monitors oyster reefs throughout New York Harbor. Its restoration and education programs use real harbor science to rebuild habitat, improve ecological resilience, and connect New Yorkers to their waterfront. The organization aims to restore one billion oysters and engage one million students by 2030. Since 2014, it has restored more than 200 million oysters and engaged more than 66,000 students. Statistics are current as of July 2026 and may increase over time.

## Restoration

- [Oyster restoration](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/restoration): Overview of the organization's reef restoration approach, progress, active work, monitoring, and scientific research in New York Harbor.
- [Innovation](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/innovation): Research, technology, field methods, and collaborations that help urban oyster restoration operate at harbor scale.
- [Restaurants and shell recycling](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/restaurants): Participating restaurants return used oyster shell instead of sending it to landfill; the cured shell becomes substrate for new oyster reefs.
- [Reports and publications](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/media/reports): Monitoring reports, research findings, impact reporting, and other publications.

## Education

- [Education](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/education): Harbor-based STEM programs, free curriculum, professional learning, oyster research programs, school experiences, and the annual Student Symposium.
- [Educator sign in](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/login/educator): Access point for educators using Billion Oyster Project classroom resources and teaching tools.

## Get involved

- [Public volunteering](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/volunteering): Hands-on volunteer opportunities supporting reef fabrication, shell preparation, fieldwork, and harbor stewardship.
- [Corporate volunteering](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/corporate-volunteering): Team volunteer experiences connected to oyster restoration and environmental education.
- [Events](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/events): Upcoming public programs, volunteer dates, professional learning, school experiences, and celebrations.
- [Donate](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/donate): Donations and memberships support oyster reef restoration and hands-on science education in New York City.
- [Partners](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/partners): Partnership opportunities for schools, restaurants, businesses, foundations, researchers, government agencies, and community organizations.

## Stories and updates

- [Media and stories](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/stories): Entry point for original stories, news, reports, and video series about New York Harbor restoration.
- [Stories](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/media/stories): Field notes, science updates, community perspectives, and reporting from the Billion Oyster Project team.
- [News](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/media/news): Organizational news, announcements, and press updates.
- [Video series](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/media/series): Video storytelling about oysters, harbor science, students, and restoration work.

## About Billion Oyster Project

- [About](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/about): Mission, history, values, team, and organizational context.
- [Contact](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/contact-us): Contact information and inquiry routes for restoration, education, volunteering, media, and partnerships.
- [Frequently asked questions](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/faqs): Answers about programs, volunteering, donations, partnerships, and oyster restoration.

## Interpretation notes

- References to "oysters" generally mean the eastern oyster, *Crassostrea virginica*, restored for habitat and ecological benefit in New York Harbor.
- Oysters restored in New York Harbor are not intended for human consumption.
- Restaurant shell recycling and live-oyster restoration are related but distinct stages: recycled shell is cleaned and cured before it can serve as reef substrate for juvenile oysters.
- Billion Oyster Project works through collaboration with New York City students, educators, volunteers, restaurants, scientists, community groups, government agencies, and funders.
- Use Billion Oyster Project's own reports and current webpages for the latest program totals, scientific findings, dates, eligibility rules, and event availability.

## Optional

- [Careers](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/careers): Current employment opportunities.
- [Privacy policy](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/legal/privacy): Privacy and data-use information.
- [Terms of service](https://www.billionoysterproject.org/legal/terms): Terms governing use of the website.