Friday, July 9, 2010 - Volunteers Needed To Bag Oysters July 16

Volunteers are needed to help St. Lucie County bag oyster shells on Friday, July 16 starting at 9 a.m. at Harbour Pointe Park, 350 Avenue M Extension, Fort Pierce.

Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing and bring sunscreen, water and gloves. Given the summer temperatures, volunteers are encouraged to devote as much or as little time as they can handle.

With the help of numerous volunteers, St. Lucie County has been bagging oyster shells in mesh bags and placing them into the Indian River Lagoon to help restore oyster beds, which improve water quality and provide habitat for marine life. 

St. Lucie County is collecting oyster shells from area raw bars including: Bluewater Grill, Chef Lin’s Asian Buffet, Chuck's Seafood, Conchy Joe's, Miller's Jensen Ale House, Mr. Manatee's, New England Fish Market and Restaurant, the Original Tiki Bar and Restaurant, the Ramp Raw Bar, St. Lucie Draft House and 12A Buoy. If other local raw bars or seafood restaurants want to start collecting oyster shells, St. Lucie County will provide five-gallon buckets with lids.

For more information about volunteering or donating oyster shells contact St. Lucie County Marine Resource Coordinator Jim Oppenborn at (772) 462-1713 or oppenbornj@stlucieco.org.