To protect Florida’s fisheries, improving water quality and the seagrass ecosystem is of paramount importance. Many organizations are helping to restore seagrass through oyster bed restoration. See volunteer opportunities to repair the loss of seagrasses at the end of this article.

Oyster Rings – Dr. Linda Walters

One of Dr. Linda Walters’ notable initiatives involves the “oyster rings” to rehabilitate degraded oyster reefs. Volunteers make these rings from eco-friendly materials. They use hemp burlap soaked in quick-drying cement to make the rings.

Oyster rings foster oyster colonization because their circular shapes help oyster larvae, or spat, attach and grow. As oysters improve the quality of coastal waters because they are filter feeders. Improved water quality improves the Florida seagrass’ chances for re-growth.

Read more: Florida Sportsman

The creating and installing oyster rings is a highly collaborative effort, engaging volunteers from various organizations and the local community. In March 2023, volunteers from the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida and UCF students made 187 oyster rings. These rings were for restoration projects in the Mosquito Lagoon. These efforts have been instrumental in enhancing oyster populations and, consequently, the overall health of the lagoon’s ecosystem.

Oyster Beds and Seagrass Restoration in Florida

The restoration of oyster reefs has a positive cascading effect on seagrass habitats. Oysters are natural filter feeders, capable of filtering large volumes of water, which reduces turbidity and enhances light penetration. Clearer water helps seagrass beds grow. These beds are important because they provide habitat, food, and nursery grounds for many marine species.

Volunteers have noted seagrass growing back near restored reefs. This shows a successful connection between oyster restoration and seagrass recovery.

Donate or Volunteer to Help Build Oyster Rings

Individuals interested in supporting oyster and seagrass restoration can consider donating to or volunteering with the following organizations:

• Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida: Actively involved in habitat restoration projects, including oyster reef restoration in collaboration with UCF. Volunteers participate in events like oyster ring making and deployment.
• Upcoming ring-making events will be held on March 2 & 16, April 13 & 27, 2025. Location: UCF from 9 a.m. to noon. To volunteer, please contact Greg Harrison at 407-276-6141.

Read more: CCA Florida

• Florida Oceanographic Society: FOS has 2 programs, one being Florida Oceanographic Seagrass Training, Education, and Restoration (FOSTER). The other is Florida Oceanographic Oyster Restoration (FLOOR). Both have Volunteer opportunities in seagrass and oyster restoration efforts in the Indian River Lagoon.

Read more: Florida Oceanographic Society

• Restore Our Shores (Brevard Zoo): This program focuses on restoring living shorelines, including Indian River Lagoon. Volunteer opportunities range from fostering mangrove seedlings to constructing oyster reefs and seagrass beds.

Read More: Restore Our Shores

Dr. Linda Walters is a Pegasus Professor of Biology at the University of Central Florida (UCF), specializing in marine conservation and restoration ecology. She leads the Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab (CEELAB).

Her research mainly looks at how humans affect marine environments. She focuses on restoring oyster reefs and studying how oysters can survive in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon system.

Read about Dr. Walters: College of Sciences