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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.

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 2008 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 Distribution to pick up your seed oysters. There is a suggested donation of $25 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 ($25 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.

Volunteer Oyster Gardeners Help the Lynnhaven Would you like to help build living oyster reefs? Learn more about Maryland’s oyster gardening and oyster restoration programs, or contact Stephanie Reynolds at 443/482-2164 or sreynolds@cbf.org. Learn more about Virginia's oyster program, or contact Chris Moore at 757/622-1964 or cmoore@cbf.org. In this news clip from WVEC TV 13, follow Virginia Beach volunteer Mimi Boseman as she tends the oysters off the dock in her backyard.  And get an update from Christy Everett, CBF Virginia Assistant Director for Hampton Roads, on the positive effect oyster gardening is having on the health of the Bay.  State of the Bay With thousands of miles of rivers and streams still impaired by pollution and fish consumption advisories in place throughout the watershed due to toxic contamination, it should come as no surprise that CBF's 2006 State of the Bay Report grades the health of the Bay a "D."