Be part of the movement to restore one billion oysters by 2030.

 

Our Next Chapter Starts Here

Ten years ago, Billion Oyster Project began with an idea many thought was impossible: to bring oysters, and life, back to New York Harbor.

A decade later, that belief has become reality. Oysters are surviving and reproducing where they hadn’t for generations. Fish and crabs are returning. The water is growing clearer. The harbor is learning to breathe again.

What began as a question: can life return here?
Has become a resounding yes.

Get Involved
 
 
 

The Data Behind the Dream

After ten years of pilot projects, we know what works.

  • 3,000+ reef structures installed to date 

  • 170 million oysters restored across the harbor

  • 19 acres of reef habitat created

  • 300+ community and school partners participating annually

And this is just the beginning.

The next phase of restoration—our most ambitious yet—will build three new acres of reef habitat and 100+ million oysters every year, propelling us toward our goal of one billion oysters by 2030.

 

Building 232 New Reef Balls for 2026

In 2026, we’ll deploy 232 new reef balls into New York Harbor –a new home for 110 million restored oysters.

Each one is made from recycled shells and eco-concrete, crafted by hand and seeded with hundreds of thousands of young oysters, before being carefully positioned on the harbor floor as the start to a thriving reef. 

Every reef ball filters water, shelters marine life, and strengthens the shoreline. Multiplied across the harbor, they create the foundation for large-scale restoration—turning data and design into measurable environmental change.

Dedicate a Reef Ball
 

Your Personal Mark on the Harbor

For the first time, you can dedicate a reef ball in your name or in honor of someone you love.

Limited to 232 balls for the upcoming season, you will receive Each dedicated reef ball carries a personalized ID tag, permanently affixed before installation in the summer of 2026. You’ll be invited to the installation ceremony and receive updates as your reef becomes part of a living ecosystem beneath the surface.

Your tag is a legacy. A lasting mark of your belief that New York Harbor can live again.

Dedicate a Reef Ball
 

Science Made Visible

Once installed, every reef is monitored twice a year by our restoration team using divers, underwater video, and environmental sensors.

We track real-time metrics including:

  • Oyster growth and survival rates

  • Larval recruitment and reproduction

  • Biodiversity increases (fish, crabs, invertebrates)

  • Water clarity and dissolved oxygen levels

Your reef is scientifically measurable progress toward a thriving estuary.

 
 
 

Beyond the Reef: Inspiring the Next Generation

Every reef we build becomes a classroom—a living laboratory where New York City students learn science, stewardship, and the power of their own impact.

By 2030, we aim to reach one million students, giving every young New Yorker the chance to connect with their harbor and discover how cities and ecosystems can thrive together.

 
 

Join Us at This Turning Point

Your dedication helps restore New York Harbor and ensures this city’s lifeline endures for generations to come.

Dedicate a Reef ball
 
 

Questions?

For more information, please contact: mjernigan@billionoysterproject.org

 

FAQ

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