Fully half of Virginia is drained by Chesapeake Bay rivers, and two-thirds of the state's population lives within the Bay watershed. From the farm fields of the Shenandoah Valley to the pinewoods of the Eastern Shore, for most Virginians the Bay is as close as the nearest creek or stream.

OYSTER GARDENING - Getting Started in Virginia

If you would like to participate in CBF’s Oyster Gardening Program, follow these steps:

  • Request an information packet about oyster gardening for restoration by contacting CBF’s Hampton Roads Office at 757.622.1964 or at hamptonroads@cbf.org. This packet includes general information about the Citizen Oyster Gardening program, the need for oyster restoration, the materials required, and a required State Registration form.
     
  • When you call for your information packet, let us know that you would like to be added to our Oyster Gardening mailing list so that we can keep you informed about upcoming Virginia oyster restoration events.
      
  • Purchase Oyster Gardening Supplies. Vendor information is provided in the information packet you'll receive via mail, or view our information on purchasing oyster gardening supplies.
      
  • Attend a free New Gardener Seminar (see 2009 schedule here) to learn about oyster gardening and pick up new seed oyster. Sign up early because space is limited. If you can not make the New Gardener Seminar, register for an Oyster Roundup/Seed Distributionto pick up your seed oysters. There is a suggested donation of $30 per 1,000 oysters, which includes a CBF membership and enables CBF to cover the costs of oyster purchase and transplants.
      
  • Return your mature oysters (about 1-2" in length) each year to an Oyster Roundup, where we then transport them onto Virginia sanctuary reefs. At the reefs, your oysters will continue growing and spawning to help jump start local oyster populations. At the Roundup, you can pick up seed ($30 per 1,000 oysters)
If you have any questions about the above process, please contact CBF’s Hampton Roads Office at 757.622.1964 or at hamptonroads@cbf.org.