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Restaurant Name

123 Main St, New York, NY 10001

Seafood / Oyster Bar

A charming neighborhood bistro serving seasonal dishes and craft cocktails.

(212) 555-1234

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01

Recycle

Recycled shells become the foundation of new reefs.

Waste becomes habitat

We collect used oyster shells from more than 75 iconic restaurants across New York City. To date, we’ve recycled more than 3.1 million pounds of shell. Instead of heading to landfill, they return to the Harbor. Diners give back to the Harbor just by eating oysters. Every shell collected becomes part of a new reef system.

Waste becomes habitat

We collect used oyster shells from more than 75 iconic restaurants across New York City. To date, we’ve recycled more than 3.1 million pounds of shell. Instead of heading to landfill, they return to the Harbor. Diners give back to the Harbor just by eating oysters. Every shell collected becomes part of a new reef system.

Mounds of recycled oyster shells curing outdoors beside a loader

Curing on Governors Island

Once on Governors Island, shells are cleaned and left to cure in the open air for months. This process removes bacteria and organic material so they are safe and stable. Over time, they become the hard surface oyster larvae need to attach to.

Curing on Governors Island

Once on Governors Island, shells are cleaned and left to cure in the open air for months. This process removes bacteria and organic material so they are safe and stable. Over time, they become the hard surface oyster larvae need to attach to.

Masked volunteers sorting recycled oyster shells at an outdoor table

Community in Action

Students, volunteers, and corporate teams help clean shells and prepare materials, turning yesterday’s dinner into tomorrow’s reef. More than 16,000 volunteers have supported this work to date.

Community in Action

Students, volunteers, and corporate teams help clean shells and prepare materials, turning yesterday’s dinner into tomorrow’s reef. More than 16,000 volunteers have supported this work to date.

02

Our restoration team designs reef sites and works on permitting.

Initiation

We identify an area of interest for restoration and begin a planning, outreach, and information-gathering phase to understand restoration potential and community priorities.

Initiation

We identify an area of interest for restoration and begin a planning, outreach, and information-gathering phase to understand restoration potential and community priorities.

Crew member piloting a small Billion Oyster Project workboat across open water

Site Investigation

With support from project partners, consultants, and communities, we conduct desktop and field-based surveys to understand site conditions in an area of interest. Some of these surveys directly inform design.

Site Investigation

With support from project partners, consultants, and communities, we conduct desktop and field-based surveys to understand site conditions in an area of interest. Some of these surveys directly inform design.

Diver in a wetsuit holding yellow fins on a dock before a monitoring dive

Pre-Installation Monitoring

We conduct monitoring activities to understand invertebrate and fish presence and abundance at a site, establishing an ecological baseline to which post-restoration changes may be compared.

Pre-Installation Monitoring

We conduct monitoring activities to understand invertebrate and fish presence and abundance at a site, establishing an ecological baseline to which post-restoration changes may be compared.

Two researchers in waders surveying an exposed oyster reef at low tide, one holding a clipboard

Design

We prepare conceptual, 30%, and 60% designs throughout the design phase. Using survey data, we determine the reef footprint, reef area, and substrate. Site conditions and design parameters inform us of the site's square footage, coverage, and oyster quantity. A reef’s design depends on site conditions and the project's goals.

Design

We prepare conceptual, 30%, and 60% designs throughout the design phase. Using survey data, we determine the reef footprint, reef area, and substrate. Site conditions and design parameters inform us of the site's square footage, coverage, and oyster quantity. A reef’s design depends on site conditions and the project's goals.

Aerial view of Governors Island with the Lower Manhattan skyline beyond

Permitting

We obtain city, state, and federal regulatory approvals and permits to install an oyster reef restoration project.

Permitting

We obtain city, state, and federal regulatory approvals and permits to install an oyster reef restoration project.

03

Reef structures are built and seeded to start living systems.

Perforated concrete reef ball domes staged on land before installation

Building durable reef structures

Using recycled shells and engineered concrete, we fabricate reef balls that provide the complexity of natural oyster reefs.

Building durable reef structures

Using recycled shells and engineered concrete, we fabricate reef balls that provide the complexity of natural oyster reefs.

Our Reef Balls

Each reef ball, as we like to call them, is embedded with cured oyster shell and shaped with openings and texture that create shelter for marine life. They reduce wave energy and protect young oysters as they grow. This is the backbone of a new reef system.

Our Reef Balls

Each reef ball, as we like to call them, is embedded with cured oyster shell and shaped with openings and texture that create shelter for marine life. They reduce wave energy and protect young oysters as they grow. This is the backbone of a new reef system.

Crew sharing a laugh beside encrusted reef balls hauled onto the dock

Designed for Expansion

Some reef balls are seeded with live oysters. Others are installed as blank substrates, allowing future generations to settle and expand naturally. This approach strengthens reefs over time.

Designed for Expansion

Some reef balls are seeded with live oysters. Others are installed as blank substrates, allowing future generations to settle and expand naturally. This approach strengthens reefs over time.

Setting tanks holding submerged reef structures where oyster larvae attach to shells

Remote Setting at Scale

At Pier 101 on Governors Island, our remote setting facility uses tanks filled with flowing harbor water. Reef balls are placed inside, and millions of larvae are introduced to “set” to the structures to mature and grow. This is the beginning of reef formation.

Remote Setting at Scale

At Pier 101 on Governors Island, our remote setting facility uses tanks filled with flowing harbor water. Reef balls are placed inside, and millions of larvae are introduced to “set” to the structures to mature and grow. This is the beginning of reef formation.

Measuring the Start

Before deployment, our team counts oyster spat (or young oysters!) to establish baseline data. This allows us to track growth and survival over time.

Measuring the Start

Before deployment, our team counts oyster spat (or young oysters!) to establish baseline data. This allows us to track growth and survival over time.

04

Reefs are lowered into the Harbor strategically and studied over time.

Crane lowering a concrete reef ball as a crew member steadies it with a rope

Strategic placement

Reef balls are transported from our remote setting facility to carefully selected sites across New York Harbor. We use site data, water quality, and years of monitoring to determine where oysters have the best chance of surviving and reproducing.

Strategic placement

Reef balls are transported from our remote setting facility to carefully selected sites across New York Harbor. We use site data, water quality, and years of monitoring to determine where oysters have the best chance of surviving and reproducing.

Reef ball suspended from rope slings being lowered into the water from a red barge

Year Zero

Once onsite, marine contractors deploy each reef ball with cranes while divers guide placement on the seafloor. Installation marks the beginning of a reef’s life cycle.

Year Zero

Once onsite, marine contractors deploy each reef ball with cranes while divers guide placement on the seafloor. Installation marks the beginning of a reef’s life cycle.

Long-term monitoring

Twice each year, our team conducts surveys and collects field data. We track oyster growth, survival, and recruitment, using that information to guide future work.

Long-term monitoring

Twice each year, our team conducts surveys and collects field data. We track oyster growth, survival, and recruitment, using that information to guide future work.

Close-up of a dense pile of weathered oyster shells

What we're looking for

We look for evidence of spawning, habitat growth, and shoreline stability. These are the signals that reefs are functioning as ecosystems.

What we're looking for

We look for evidence of spawning, habitat growth, and shoreline stability. These are the signals that reefs are functioning as ecosystems.

05

Engaging with New Yorkers

Inform the Community

We provide clear, timely information about projects. This is done through IG posts, community board presentations, meetings with key stakeholders, and through sharing information about our restoration projects on the Billion Oyster Project website.

Inform the Community

We provide clear, timely information about projects. This is done through IG posts, community board presentations, meetings with key stakeholders, and through sharing information about our restoration projects on the Billion Oyster Project website.

Billion Oyster Project team at an outreach tent with oyster shells on display

Engage the Community

We provide opportunities for community and school participation. Local schools and key community stakeholders are invited to participate in wild oyster surveys, volunteer days on Governors Island, and to view installations from land whenever feasible.

Engage the Community

We provide opportunities for community and school participation. Local schools and key community stakeholders are invited to participate in wild oyster surveys, volunteer days on Governors Island, and to view installations from land whenever feasible.

Billion Oyster Project educator leading a teacher workshop in a classroom

Allow space for community feedback

We welcome community members to share feedback on projects. (e.g., Community scoping meetings, listening sessions, feedback forms).

Allow space for community feedback

We welcome community members to share feedback on projects. (e.g., Community scoping meetings, listening sessions, feedback forms).

Hand holding a rope tagged Do Not Disturb Scientific Research Station

Provide a way to leave a lasting legacy

We aim to ensure our reefs maintain lasting relevance by including physical educational and/or cultural elements after installation. (e.g., signage, site-specific curriculum, sharing of restoration data and reports, reef naming/engraving for specific donors).

Provide a way to leave a lasting legacy

We aim to ensure our reefs maintain lasting relevance by including physical educational and/or cultural elements after installation. (e.g., signage, site-specific curriculum, sharing of restoration data and reports, reef naming/engraving for specific donors).

06

Data guides how restoration scales.

What we've proven

To date, we’ve restored more than 183 million oysters across nearly 18 acres of reef in New York Harbor. We have proven that oysters can grow and survive here. But most importantly, they have the potential to reproduce here. Through long-term monitoring, we’ve identified where they perform best and what it takes for reefs to last.

What we've proven

To date, we’ve restored more than 183 million oysters across nearly 18 acres of reef in New York Harbor. We have proven that oysters can grow and survive here. But most importantly, they have the potential to reproduce here. Through long-term monitoring, we’ve identified where they perform best and what it takes for reefs to last.

Reef ball densely covered with live oysters hauled onto a boat deck

The biological threshold

Here’s the hard truth. Small reefs are not self-sustaining. When populations are too small, mortality outpaces reproduction. That threshold has to be crossed for reefs to function as living systems. Scaling our restoration is what makes that possible.

The biological threshold

Here’s the hard truth. Small reefs are not self-sustaining. When populations are too small, mortality outpaces reproduction. That threshold has to be crossed for reefs to function as living systems. Scaling our restoration is what makes that possible.

Rows of reef balls breaking the surface at low tide near the shoreline

The North Star

One billion oysters by 2030 is a population-level target designed to push the harbor toward self-sustaining reef systems. When reefs can reproduce and expand without constant intervention, restoration sticks. Oysters are the starting point. Once that foundation is in place, broader ecosystem recovery can follow.

The North Star

One billion oysters by 2030 is a population-level target designed to push the harbor toward self-sustaining reef systems. When reefs can reproduce and expand without constant intervention, restoration sticks. Oysters are the starting point. Once that foundation is in place, broader ecosystem recovery can follow.

Explore the data

Click the map or asite below to explore our reefs and their most recent data

site

1

active

Soundview Park

Active reef system in the Bronx on the Western Long Island Sound. 31M oysters installed with 5.3–9.1M surviving as of 2025.

9100000

population count

5

acres

Explore site →

site

2

active

SUNY Maritime

Newly installed site at SUNY Maritime College on the Western Long Island Sound. 600K oysters installed, 459K surviving.

459000

population count

Explore site →

site

3

active

Brooklyn Bridge Park

High-visibility Upper Harbor site with 22M oysters installed and ~10.5M surviving — one of the strongest survival rates in the program.

10500000

population count

2

acres

Explore site →

site

4

active

Bush Terminal Park

Legacy Upper Harbor site in Sunset Park. 1.2M oysters installed; survival has been very low, informing subsequent site selection.

8000

population count

1.3

acres

Explore site →

site

5

active

Living Breakwaters

Largest single deployment in program history: 70M oysters seeded directly onto the Living Breakwaters structures off Staten Island's south shore.

3500000

population count

0.6

acres

Explore site →

site

6

active

Head of Bay

Flagship Jamaica Bay site: 30M oysters installed with 13.8M surviving — the highest standing population in the program.

13800000

population count

1

acres

Explore site →

site

7

active

Paerdegat Basin

Jamaica Bay study site monitored since 2018. 480k oysters installed, 24k survived.

24000

population count

0.05

acres

Explore site →

site

8

active

Tappan Zee

Wild recruitment site on the Hudson River. Zero oysters installed — 245k arrived naturally, validating gabions and unseeded bay balls as successful substrate.

245000

population count

6

acres

Explore site →

Restoring one billion oysters is a step toward a self-sustaining population in the New York Harbor by 2030.

Illustrated aerial rendering of Liberty Reef surrounding the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor

🦪

3 Oyster Vouchers

Each good for half a dozen oysters at participating NYC restaurants

🏷️

15% off official merch

Discount on all Billion Oyster Project merchandise year-round

🎟️

Early event access

Discounted Oyster Party tickets & exclusive event invitations

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400

Oysters on the Reef

A thriving reef cluster, building habitat for generations

Species your reef supports

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus

Harbor Seal

Phoca vitulina

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Lined Seahorse

Hippocampus erectus

American Eel

Anguilla rostrata

American Oystercatcher

Haematopus palliatus

Horseshoe Crab

Limulus polyphemus

Eastern Oyster

Crassostrea virginica

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Get the latest updates on oyster restoration, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, events, and ways to make an impact across New York Harbor.

BRONX, NY — Today, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and the Billion Oyster Project announced an $833,000 federal investment secured by Rep. Torres to construct a large-scale oyster reef in the Hudson River, restoring marine habitat, improving water quality, and expanding STEM learning opportunities for students in the Bronx. The Congressman was joined by Steven Allen, a Bronx resident and alumnus of the New York Harbor School who is currently attending community college in the Bronx, as well as Pete Malinowski, President and CEO of the Billion Oyster Project.

The Hudson River was once home to one of the largest oyster populations on earth, serving as a natural filtration system that kept the river clean for generations. This investment will fund the construction of a reef designed to bring that ecosystem back, harnessing the ability of oysters to remove pollutants and rebuild the underwater habitat that fish and other marine species depend on. The project will also serve as a living classroom. Students across NY-15 will have direct access to the restoration work happening in the river, gaining hands-on exposure to marine biology, ecology, and conservation that can spark lasting interest in science and environmental careers.

“We are living in a time of historic comebacks. The Knicks is a great comeback story. The Bronx is a great comeback story. And we’re here to celebrate a third comeback story, one that is often overlooked: the restoration of the New York Harbor and the Lower Hudson River,” said Rep. Torres. “I’m proud to announce that I’m partnering with the Billion Oyster Project to invest $833,000 in federal funds in the Hudson Oyster Project which is about restoring oysters that will keep the Hudson River clean and healthy.”

Pete Malinowski grew up farming oysters with his parents and siblings on the Fishers Island Oyster Farm. His passion for the environment and education led him to the New York Harbor School, where he founded the school’s Aquaculture and Oyster Restoration Programs and spent five years as a teacher. This work at Harbor School led to the development of Billion Oyster Project in 2014. Pete spends as much of his free time as possible on the water or in the woods with his three children Adrian, Maxwell and Daisy.

The $833,000 project was funded through the Community Project Funding process, which enables Members of Congress to direct federal resources to local projects that advance equity and community well-being.

Teacher Lastname

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Selected Restaurant

Restaurant Name

Lesson Question:

Lesson Snapshot:

Students will:

Materials

A quote from a teacher about how engaging the students find the Oyster Research Stations & stuff

Recycle

Waste becomes habitat

Waste becomes habitat

Curing on Governors Island

Curing on Governors Island

Community in Action

Community in Action

Our restoration team designs reef sites and works on permitting.

Initiation

Initiation

Site Investigation

Site Investigation

Pre-Installation Monitoring

Pre-Installation Monitoring

Design

Design

Permitting

Permitting

Reef structures are built and seeded to start living systems.

Building durable reef structures

Building durable reef structures

Our Reef Balls

Our Reef Balls

Designed for Expansion

Designed for Expansion

Remote Setting at Scale

Remote Setting at Scale

Measuring the Start

Measuring the Start

Reefs are lowered into the Harbor strategically and studied over time.

Strategic placement

Strategic placement

Year Zero

Year Zero

Long-term monitoring

Long-term monitoring

What we're looking for

What we're looking for

Engaging with New Yorkers

Inform the Community

Inform the Community

Engage the Community

Engage the Community

Allow space for community feedback

Allow space for community feedback

Provide a way to leave a lasting legacy

Provide a way to leave a lasting legacy

Data guides how restoration scales.

What we've proven

What we've proven

The biological threshold

The biological threshold

The North Star

The North Star

Restoring one billion oysters is a step toward a self-sustaining population in the New York Harbor by 2030.

oysters clean water

WHY EASTERN OYSTERS?

oysters build reefs

WHY REEFS MATTER TO NYC

oysters protect shores

a nature-based defense

Related Event Type

Related Event Type

Related Event Type

RESTORATION

Teacher Lastname