Marylanders Grow Oysters!

On August 12, 2009, DNR, ORP, watermen and volunteers collected the first batch of oysters grown under the program from private piers along the Tred Avon River and planted them on a sanctuary near Oxford. In July and August 2010, DNR staff collected the second year’s batch of oysters. “Our citizen stewards along the Tred Avon have not only done a terrific job giving these baby oysters a head start on life, but they also have been a source of inspiration for other conservation minded Marylanders,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

Thanks to the participation of various local organizations, the program, which uses cages built by Maryland inmates, expanded to 11 new Bay tributaries in 2009 and to 7 more in 2010.