The Incredible Oyster Reef

Most of us who love the Chesapeake Bay know that oysters once existed in storied numbers in an earlier time, long before poor water quality, disease, and harvesting nearly put an end to them. This film explores oysters as a keystone species with a remarkable, and it seems, indispensable ability to heal the Bay’s troubled waters.

21 Mar 2017
00:10:08

More About Oysters

Eastern Oysters

The iconic Chesapeake Bay oyster plays an important role in the Bay ecosystem, as well as the local seafood industry.

News

Chesapeake Bay Trust Issues Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Awards

December 21, 2021

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, is pleased to announce the approval of 13 grants in Maryland and Virginia for the Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Awards, a program supported by CBF.
95-Year-Old Williamsburg Man Honored as Longest-Serving Oyster Restoration Volunteer

December 1, 2021

CBF today presented Walter Zadan with an award for outstanding environmental stewardship recognizing him as CBF’s longest-serving Virginia oyster shell recycling volunteer.
Virginia Completes Major Oyster Restoration Projects

November 30, 2021

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam today announced the completion of major oyster restoration projects on Virginia’s Piankatank and Great Wicomico rivers, totaling more than 150 acres of oyster habitat combined.
Partners Introduce Oyster Spat to New Solar-Powered Aquaculture System in Baltimore

October 21, 2021

Staff from CBF and Solar Oysters loaded about 300,000 spat-on-shell oysters onto a new automated aquaculture platform in the Baltimore Harbor. The platform uses solar power to rotate large oyster cages filled with young oysters to clean the bivalves and help them grow over time.
Prizes Announced for Rod and Reef Slam Fishing Tournament That Starts Oct. 9

October 5, 2021

Anglers who catch the most different species of fish in the unique Rod and Reef Slam Fishing Tournament can win a grand prize worth up to $1,400 in Under Armour fishing apparel and All Tackle gift certificates while division winners receive other exciting prizes.

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The Oyster Path at CBF’s Brock Environmental Center

05 Nov 2021 00:14:54

Visit this fascinating walking path of interpretive signs on the grounds of CBF’s Brock Environmental Center or take the video tour.
Nansemond Indian Nation: Restoring Connections Through Oysters

26 Oct 2021 00:03:30

After centuries of displacement, the Nansemond Indian Nation is rebuilding connections to their ancestral waterway, raising oysters for restoration work and volunteering to build living shorelines.
Cheddar the Oyster Gardening Cat

30 Sep 2020 00:00:54

What are all the cool cats doing these days? They're oyster gardening!
Oyster Farming in the Bay

24 Jun 2020 00:00:59

Oyster farming—the practice of cultivating oysters for food—is a growing part of Maryland and Virginia's economy.
Farming Oysters with an Adjustable Longline

19 Jun 2020 00:01:53

Alex Lambert of Lambert Shellfish demonstrates the adjustable longline technique used in oyster aquaculture.