On Thursday, September 23 from 4-7 pm and on Sunday, October 17, from 10 am-1 pm, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) will host the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Oyster Spat Pick-up and Oyster Gardening Program. The program invites volunteers to grow oysters on their property near the surface of the water, affording them excellent exposure to oxygen and phytoplankton, while helping to produce healthy, mature oysters for Chesapeake Bay restoration.

On September 23, two types of oyster growing gardens will be available for pickup at CBMM: either a Taylor float, or a set of four wire mesh cages. CBF reps will be on hand to help participants make the best choice depending on the location of their dock facilities, and personal preference. Participants may also return their adult oysters to CBF in exchange for spat. Initial cost to get started in the program is $75 ($50 for materials that remain the property of the volunteer and $25 tax-deductible donation to help CBF provide the spat for growing.)

The Oyster Gardening Workshop on October 17 will teach participants how to build and maintain an oyster garden. The event takes place from 10am to 1pm at the Van Lennep Auditorium at CBMM, with registration through CBF. The public is also welcome to listen in during the workshop, free with Museum admission.

To register for the 9/23 or 10/17 event, or for more information about oyster gardening, contact CBF’s Meghan Hoffman at mhoffman@cbf.org. For more information about CBMM’s education programs, visit www.cbmm.org.