How Oysters Clean Our Local Waterways and Why They Matter

Have you spotted oysters growing on your concrete seawall? That’s great news! These hardworking shellfish are doing a lot of good for your seawall and our local environment.

Oysters are natural water filters, with each one able to clean up to 50 gallons of water per day by removing excess nutrients and pollutants. When they attach to seawalls, they don’t cause harm, they actually improve water quality, provide habitat for fish and crabs, and support nearby seagrasses.

Some companies have offered to scrape oysters off seawalls, claiming they’re damaging. In reality, removing them takes away their many benefits and can even damage the seawall itself.

Want to take it a step further? Consider adding a Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) to your dock! VOGs give oysters more space to grow, enhancing their water-cleaning power and supporting even more marine life.

To learn more or request a free VOG to hang from your dock, contact the Environmental Committee through the form online by clicking here.

Residents Make New Oyster Beds to Clean Water 

The Village Environmental and Waterways committees are teaming up to boost oyster habitats — and they're doing it with help from the community and a little creativity!

The project centers around “vertical oyster gardens,” or VOGs. These eco-friendly contraptions are made by stringing old oyster shells—mostly donated by restaurants—onto ropes or cables that are then hung from docks and seawalls. Once in the water, the shells attract new oysters, which attach, grow, and help naturally filter the water. In fact, one oyster can clean several gallons a day!

Keep an eye on Village social media for upcoming VOG-making events. They’re fun, hands-on, and a great way to help protect our local environment—one oyster at a time.