Oyster Shell Drilling at Robinson Preserve

Join us at Robinson Preserve on Wednesday, November 18 for a hands-on Oyster Shell Drilling session supporting coastal restoration in Manatee County. Oysters are a keystone species in our estuaries. A single adult oyster can filter gallons of water a day, and oyster reefs provide shelter for fish, crabs, and wading birds while protecting shorelines from erosion. Volunteers will drill holes in recycled oyster shells so they can be strung together and placed in the water, giving baby oysters (spat) a surface to settle and grow on. What to expect: Staff will provide a brief safety orientation and all drilling equipment, then you’ll work at stations alongside other volunteers. The work is done seated or standing, and no experience is needed. What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, clothes that can get dirty, a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat. *Safety glasses and gloves are provided.