Page 40 - July 2023 Issue.indd

Millions of Oysters Planted in support from many individuals, businesses, and foundations,
we’re proud that we’re able to support direct oyster restoration
Eastern Bay work here on the Shore.”

Eighteen million oysters were planted on a sanctuary near Oyster Recovery Partnership, the nonprofi t expert in Chesa-

Tilghman Point in Eastern Bay this Thursday as part of Opera- peake Bay oyster restoration, has planted more than 10 billion
tion Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay. The planting was the culmi- oysters and recycled 280,000+ bushels of oyster shell since its

nation of a two-year fundraising effort by ShoreRivers, in founding in 1994. ORP began the Build-a-Reef program to
partnership with Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), and encourage community-supported reef building eff orts Bay-
other key supporters. Oysters provide valuable ecosystem wide. To date, the Build-a-Reef program has resulted in more

services by filtering water and creating vital habitats for other than 130 million oysters planted in three Bay tributaries.
marine species, including Maryland’s iconic blue crab and “We’re pleased to be working again with our partners at Shore-
rockfi sh.
Rivers to rebuild oyster populations here in Eastern Bay. A lot
Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay's goal was to support of our work is focused on large-scale restoration projects in

oyster restoration efforts by planting millions of these benefi - remote areas of the Eastern Shore and we’re happy to be work-
cial bivalves in the local watershed. An initial planting of 70 ing closer to home and sharing our work with our neighbors.
million oysters was completed by ORP in 2022, with funding We’re grateful for all the support we’ve received,” said Ward
provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Slacum, executive director of the Oyster Recovery Partnership.
Thursday's planting was also conducted by ORP and was fully

Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay benefitted from the
funded by ShoreRivers' network of supporters who raised the
support of corporate partners including Bosun’s Marine, who
stakes—and the impact—by donating nearly $80,000 for the

offered to match gifts made by its customers in support of the
newest residents of Eastern Bay. Oyster larvae were supplied by

effort, and Smyth Jewelers who donated 1,000 oysters for every
the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

engagement ring sold. Many donors, and staff from Bosun’s,
Horn Point Lab in Cambridge.
ShoreRivers, and the Oyster Recovery Partnership were on

“The waterways of Eastern Bay, including the Miles and Wye hand to watch the planting.
rivers, suff er from excess nitrogen and sediment pollution,”
says Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Ben Ford. “Thanks to generous

ES Jousters Win Float Trophy

The Eastern Shore Jousters won the Overall Float Trophy for
their float entry in the 42nd Annual Ridgely Lions Strawberry

Festival Parade on Sunday, May 28th.

The Ridgely Joust, held since 1953, sponsored by the Ridgely
Lions Club is set this year for Sunday, Sept. 10th.
Pictured below are King Bill Sharp, Queen Joanne Wooters )22' 3$175,(6
and her grandson, Derek Wooters, Night of Wooters Acres’.
Aarons Place, Inc Aarons Place Inc at
401 Aldersgate Drive Living Waters Assembly
Denton, MD 21629 9058 Double Hills Road
Tues. - Wed. Denton, MD 21629
9 AM - 2:30 PM 443-243-5906
Aarons Place Inc. Mobiles:
435 Main Street Marydel, MD,
Goldsboro, MD 21636 Federalsburg and
Preston. Questions:
Sunday, 10 AM - 1 PM Preston . Q uestions:
443-243-5906.
Aarons Place Inc at 443-243-5906.
Community Civic League
3439 Laurel Grove Rd,
Federalsburg, MD 21632
Wednesday, 4 to 6 PM

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