Sink Your Shucks Oyster Recycling Program

Curious about oyster reef restoration?

Join us on Saturday, June 20 to talk all things oysters, restoration, and healthy Texas bays at a free, family-friendly event at the Bay Education Center in Rockport.

Enjoy hands-on activities, touch tanks, live demonstrations, crafts, giveaways, food, and more while learning how oyster reefs provide habitat for marine life, improve water quality, and support resilient coastlines.

Travel stipends available for registered participants while funds last.

Register today using the QR code on the flyer!

Can you spot yourself?! 🦪💙

Thank you to everyone who came out for this year's community oyster restoration event at Goose Island State Park. What an incredible day of giving oyster shell another purpose in St. Charles Bay to help create habitat for oysters, fish, crabs, and other marine life.

Enjoy reliving the day and tag yourself, your friends, and your family in the photos!

Many more pictures here: https://photos.harteresearch.org/Internal/Institutional-Initiatives/Sink-Your-Shucks/2026-Restoration-Events/Sink-Your-Shucks-May-9-Restoration-Event

WHAT A GROUP! 🦪

More than 175 volunteers came together to place oyster shell in St. Charles Bay, creating habitat for oysters and countless marine species while supporting a healthier Texas coast. Every biodegradable bag filled with reclaimed shell helps build the foundation for future oyster reef habitat. Thank you to everyone who showed up, worked hard, and made a real impact!

Special thank you to:
Goose Island State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
CCA Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Port of Corpus Christi
H-E-B
CITGO Fueling Good
Flint Hills Resources
Valero Corpus Christi Refineries
LyondellBasell
Texas Sea Grant
Stantec
Tesla

New research coming up! 🦪

Can't make our restoration event in May? Join us and Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program in JUNE! We're happy to announce an additional community restoration event on Mustang Island at Kate's Hole!

Registration is now open at cbbep.org/upcoming-events.

In 2025, Sink Your Shucks Oyster Shell Recycling Program was selected as a Texan by Nature Conservation Wrangler in recognition of our positive return to people, prosperity, and natural resources.

We are proud to share our TxN Return on Conservation™ Index, highlighting the economic, environmental, and social value created by the Sink Your Shucks program. By turning discarded oyster shells into thriving reef habitat, we restore biodiversity and strengthen Texas shorelines. 🙌🦪

Our work generates measurable ecosystem service benefits while engaging communities through hands-on conservation and education.

Learn more about our impact and how it aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://bit.ly/SinkYourShucks

Our January Top 5 Oyster Shell Recyclers are in 👏
Help us thank these restaurants for choosing to recycle their oyster shells and support Texas oyster reef restoration. Give them all a follow!

Water Street Oyster and Sushi Bar
Black Diamond Oyster Bar
Hometown Seafood Padre Island
Virginia's On The Bay
The Boiling Pot

Meet Alex Meyer 👋
Our new Sink Your Shucks Program Assistant!

Alex joins the Coastal Conservation and Restoration Lab from Wentzville, Missouri and brings experience from across the country, including work in Alaska, Colorado, and the Florida Keys in tourism and coral reef nursery operations. New to the Coastal Bend, he is excited to explore the Texas coast, spend time fishing and camping, and get outdoors through his work with Sink Your Shucks.

You’ll be seeing Alex around as he supports daily shell collection, attends community events, and helps drive the continued growth of our oyster shell recycling initiatives.

Fun fact: In a previous role, he gave an ultrasound to a pregnant hammerhead shark! 🦈😄

Help us welcome Alex and let’s sink some shucks together! 🦪