“The oyster gardening program has been a constant source of energy for our docks at Northport Yacht Club.  The junior sailing program has been involved in taking care of the oysters in their cages as well as many of our members.  It is quite rewarding watching the oysters multiple in size and know that it has a positive impact on OUR harbor and bay in which we all love and enjoy.  Our oysters from Cornell create a buzz throughout the yacht club and our signs which are rotated teach our members simple weekly educational facts. Keeping everyone informed of the changes and impact!”

— Northport Yacht Club

“Centerport Yacht Club participated in the 2023 Oyster Project and due to the positive experience, we will be continuing in 2024.  Our Jr. Sailors were the caretakers of our “family” of Oysters.  The Jr. Sailors absolutely loved going out on the Opti Dock to spray, scrub and measure them, and were always excited /scared at times to see what else other than an oyster was in there, ie…eels-aghhhhh.  We used this activity to supplement the program especially on No Wind Days.  For the 2024 season we plan to extend the invitation of caring for our Oyster family to families to educate all those at CYC that would like to help clean our local waters.  In conclusion a FUN FACT that I told our sailors is that when my kids who are now grown adults were in Jr. Sailing, they were not allowed to swim during Jr. Sailing because the water was so polluted.   They could only board their boats up to their knees.  With the help of the Oyster Project and other Environmental Initiatives our sailors are very fortunate to be able to come in after a day of sailing and swim, jump off the Opti dock and enjoy our Beachfront.   Thanks to Demetrios for doing such a great job in educating us as well as helping us clean the waters of CYC and Northport Harbor and beyond.”

— Centerport Yacht Club