Billion Oyster Project

“I have stories from my great grandfather and older people we interviewed back in the 80s, talking about the oystermen;... what time they would get up in the morning, how they'd walk down to the boats. Even when the waters were polluted, we learned how the community was notified and what they felt about it.” – Julie Moody Lewis, Sandy Ground Historical Society ?? For generations, Black oystermen sustained New York’s maritime economy and protected freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. Their legacy remains in the homes, institutions, and living descendants that still reside in Sandy Ground today–America's oldest continuously settled free Black community. “[This work] is rewarding when you hear people are interested." Says Julie. "They need to know about the environmental history of the city and the independent businessmen who knew the land and soil; skilled individuals creating generational wealth for their community." Turn our last day of #BlackHistoryMonth into practice and help us uplift Black voices throughout the year, showcase the resilience of communities like Sandy Ground, and keep NYC's cultural and environmental identity alive. ?? Take a walk through Sandy Ground's landmarks & explore resources: https://lnkd.in/ekhrmx2p ?? Support the repair and maintenance of the #SandyGroundMuseum and the ongoing work of our friends at the #SandyGroundHistoricalSociety here: https://lnkd.in/gPCYprZE #SandyGround #NYCHistory #BlackMaritimeLegacy #BlackHistory

Now accepting applications: The Jocelyn B. Steelman Memorial Scholarship. Billion Oyster Project, with the support of Jocelyn B. Steelman’s family, is proud to offer the $15,000 Jocelyn B. Steelman Memorial Scholarship to a graduating high school senior in New York City who demonstrates outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to community and environmental stewardship. This annual scholarship honors Jocelyn’s legacy—a brilliant business mind, humanitarian, and dedicated New Yorker—by supporting the next generation of leaders in environmental fields. Eligibility Criteria: ?? Graduating NYC high school senior attending an accredited college/university ?? GPA of 3.5 or higher ?? Demonstrated financial need ?? Strong commitment to community service and leadership Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 Award Announcement: June 1, 2025 If you know a promising student who meets these criteria, please encourage them to apply! ?? Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/eUnYx4Bq #ScholarshipOpportunity #EnvironmentalLeadership #HigherEducation #BillionOysterProject

For a look into oyster restoration outside of NYC, watch "Operation Restoration: Oyster" produced by our friends at @gnarleybay and @11thHourRacing. This short film explores the work of the @MassachusettsOysterProject through the perspectives of citizens, scientists, students, and government officials. ?? Operation Restoration: Oyster Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/epbKmiX2 Directed by @Lindsey Hagen | Photography by Brain Nevins

Now accepting applications: The Jocelyn B. Steelman Memorial Scholarship. Billion Oyster Project, with the support of Jocelyn B. Steelman’s family, is proud to offer the $15,000 Jocelyn B. Steelman Memorial Scholarship to a graduating high school senior in New York City who demonstrates outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to community and environmental stewardship. This annual scholarship honors Jocelyn’s legacy—a brilliant business mind, humanitarian, and dedicated New Yorker—by supporting the next generation of leaders in environmental fields. Eligibility Criteria: ?? Graduating NYC high school senior attending an accredited college/university ?? GPA of 3.5 or higher ?? Demonstrated financial need ?? Strong commitment to community service and leadership Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 Award Announcement: June 1, 2025 If you know a promising student who meets these criteria, please encourage them to apply! ?? Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/eUnYx4Bq #ScholarshipOpportunity #EnvironmentalLeadership #HigherEducation #BillionOysterProject

Great listen from #TheDaveChangShow on oysters–eating them, shucking them, and farming them for a sustainable future. Huge thank you to #DavidChang and #AriKolander for the Billion Oyster Project shoutout! “I personally think that the oyster is one of nature’s most perfect beings. The mango, the orange, it’s perfect.” – Dave Chang. “All it needs is itself and water. It does so much good for the world.” – Ari Kolender Listen to “The Fundamentals of Oysters with Found Oyster’s Ari Kolander” on Youtube (https://bit.ly/4hTYhrN), Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. #BillionOysterProject #OysterLove #ShellfishWisdom

Is your team looking for a hands-on way to give back together? Come spend a fun day with us on Governors Island as part of our corporate volunteering program! ?? We rely on our volunteers to help restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor by building reef structures, preparing shells for our hatchery, and more. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes experience of our restoration work, and we promise it will be a fun day of team-building, too. Openings are filling up fast! If you haven't joined us before, head to our website below to learn more & schedule a corporate volunteer day with us this year: https://lnkd.in/edh5TASc #volunteer #giveback #companyvolunteering #nycvolunteers

?? Cool internship alert! ?? Are you a young adult looking to gain hands-on experience in marine restoration/conservation, environmental education, and non-profit work? Billion Oyster Project's Research Associate Technician Internship is your chance to dive into an immersive summer program where you'll support key departments, conduct your own research project, and engage with a leading environmental non-profit. This opportunity is open to all qualified applicants, but we’d especially love to see New York Harbor School alumni apply! Many past interns have used this program as a launchpad for their careers, and we'd love to continue supporting the next generation of environmental leaders. As a Research Associate Technician, you’ll: ?? Specialize in a specific programmatic focus ?? Collaborate across departments for a well-rounded experience ?? Conduct and present a research project to our staff ?? Fully integrate into Billion Oyster Project’s team This paid internship is open to individuals who have completed high school and are eager to explore marine conservation and community engagement. ?? Learn more, share, & apply by February 28, 2025: https://lnkd.in/dFaa4yJ #Internship #EnvironmentalConservation #MarineScience #NonprofitCareers #BillionOysterProject #NewYorkHarborSchool

Coastal restoration in the Western Long Island Sound isn’t new—NYC Department of Parks & Recreation has been at it for two decades in the making alongside other passionate advocates and partners who understood the value of our shared #NYCWaterfront. It all began before Billion Oyster Project, when NYC Parks and local community members noticed wild oysters were repopulating in the area. “Our objective is to monitor and restore ecosystems, and oysters are a really important historical part of that ecosystem,” says Rebecca Swadek, Director of Wetlands Management at NYC Parks. Since 2008, NYC Parks has restored 160+ acres of wetlands, playing a key role in safeguarding NYC’s 520 miles of shoreline in addition to our beloved parks. ?? ?? Read the full blog on last year's Wild Oyster Surveys and the foundational research conducted by our partners: https://lnkd.in/e5XqiYsp #NYC #NYCParks #OysterRestoration

We’re excited to celebrate another #KidsWeek at the Intrepid Museum, happening now through Feb 22nd! We'll be there to join in on the fun this Thursday, Feb 20th–bringing the science of oyster restoration in #NYHarbor to their week long series of #STEAM-based games, activities, and performances. Swing by our table and explore New York Harbor onshore, get hands on experience with NYC's oysters, and learn about the rich biodiversity of organisms in our backyard. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eG3ZKqfn Kids Week at the Intrepid Museum Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY Billion Oyster Project Table | Thursday, Feb 20th 10 AM–5 PM | all ages + free with museum admission #Education #NYCKids #Intrepid #OysterRestoration

#ValentinesDay can be a day for all kinds of love, like love for our waterways. Urging all with romantic evening plans in Manhattan to pass by 'Love Ever After' - an installation by Pernilla Ohrstedt Studio that points back to the beauty of #NewYorkHarbor from every direction. Read more about our latest artistic collaboration below, and check it out tonight in person this V-day or before March 4th. https://bit.ly/42QMwxI. 'Love Ever After' is presented by Times Square Arts with curatorial partner The World Around and collaborator Billion Oyster Project as part of the 17th annual Times Square Arts Love & Design Competition.