U.S. Congressional Leaders Tour CBF’s New Oyster Restoration Center in Maryland

Construction Has Begun at CBF’s Truman T. Semans Center for Oyster Restoration and Innovation, Set to Open in Spring 2027

Dozens of federal, state, and local leaders got a sneak preview of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) new Truman T. Semans Center for Oyster Restoration and Innovation in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Attendees included U.S. Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz, and Congressional staff of Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), Congressmen Steny Hoyer (MD), Rob Wittman (VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Johnny Olszewski (MD), and Kweisi Mfume (MD). 

The 2.09-acre waterfront property currently under construction is set to become a new Bay-wide hub for oyster science, restoration, and volunteer opportunities. Restored oyster reefs have immense benefits for ecosystems and communities across the Chesapeake Bay, including filtering the water, providing habitat, and supporting jobs. 

Event attendees were given a hard hat tour of the site by CBF staff, as well as long-time CBF supporter and the center’s namesake Truman T. Semans. The center is expected to begin restoration operations in spring 2027. 

Oyster restoration has been a huge success story in the Chesapeake Bay. Federal and state leaders have recently recommitted to a revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement, which continues to prioritize large-scale oyster restoration throughout the Bay. CBF’s new oyster center will be a key space where partners can come together and execute that ambitious goal. 

The Galesville property, formerly known as Woodfield’s Ice House, Fish & Oyster Co., was once a booming oyster shucking and packaging business. Now, CBF is reviving the site into an innovative facility where millions of oysters will be grown and added back into the Chesapeake Bay. The center will provide an open, interactive space for volunteers, agency and nonprofit partners, government leaders, and the local community to plan and execute Bay cleanup efforts. 

The Truman T. Semans Center for Oyster Restoration and Innovation will include environmentally friendly features like onsite solar, EV chargers, living shorelines that minimize erosion and flooding, and stormwater management features that reduce pollution entering the Bay. 

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President & CEO Hilary Harp Falk said: 

“CBF’s new oyster center is a place for partnership. It hasn’t even been built yet, and it’s already bringing key leaders together to talk about the future of oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay. 

“It’s clear in the new Chesapeake Bay Agreement that oysters will continue to be a top priority for state and federal partners. This new oyster center provides a critical space to bring together leaders across all levels of government, the community, and other organizations to expand and advance restoration work. We’re excited to demonstrate our vision for the space and keep up the tremendous momentum for oysters in the Bay.” 

U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth said: 

 “The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and our state and federal partners understand we cannot restore the Bay without restoring our oyster reefs. Oysters are not only critical for Maryland’s biodiversity and ecology – but for our economy and culture – which is why I’ve been working alongside partners like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Secretary Kurtz on this issue since my time in the State Senate.  

“Now, as a Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force and Vice-Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, I’m committed to taking that same collaborative, science-backed, results-oriented approach to find federal policy solutions to repopulate and restore our oysters. I look forward to the scientific findings, partnership, and ideas that will come from the Truman T. Semans Center for Oyster Restoration and Innovation.” 

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Aquatic Resources Kate Charbonneau said: 

“The ongoing, successful recovery of Chesapeake Bay oysters requires the work and input of many partners. Over the past two decades the state’s oyster populations have tripled and oysters are reproducing at their highest levels in 30 years. This new oyster center will play an important role in maintaining this restoration momentum as we look ahead to meeting our next set of goals for this iconic species.” 

 Truman T. Semans said: 

“I couldn’t be more excited for this oyster center to open next year. And getting to introduce CBF’s vision for this space to Congressional leaders and staff was extremely special. This is just the beginning of the collaborative, partner-driven oyster restoration work that this center will inspire.”