Two wire baskets filled with oysters on a wooden dock, with a person's feet visible nearby and a container of tools and supplies in the background.
A close-up view of numerous oyster shells on a beach.
People participating in a shoreline cleanup on a wooden dock by a calm body of water with boats and yachts, under a clear blue sky.
Two women collecting shells or marine specimens on a wooden dock, with large orange buckets nearby, wearing gloves and casual clothing.
A person wearing a work glove holding a large, open oyster shell with multiple oyster shells inside, on a wooden deck.

The Oyster Garden Program is a key initiative connecting the community to hands on environmental education and stewardship opportunities that directly impacts the quality of Manhasset Bay.

Oysters are mighty mollusks that help:

  • Improve water quality by filtering pollutants

  • Create habitats for other species

  • Act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and storm surges

  • Restores natural oyster populations in our Bay

  • Foster a deeper connection between residents and their local waterways

Residents Forward works in partnership with Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte

The Town Dock Oyster Garden is sponsored by KISS Beauty Group.

Restore the Bay: Oyster Garden Program

    1. Pull cages from the bay

    2. Clean the oysters in fresh water

    3. Remove any predators

    4. Measure and record growth

    5. Scrub and rinse cages

    6. Return the oysters to the bay

  • Contact us at ino@pwresidents.org

Support Our Work
Support Our Work

Oyster Volunteer Program

Volunteers care for and grow oysters to be planted in Manhasset Bay at the end of October. During Oyster season, Sessions run every Saturday from 8:30–10am at Town Dock and Morgan’s Dock in Manorhaven.

It’s an enriching hands on way to make an impact and meet like-minded residents.

Poster titled 'Oyster Garden' describing a session with six steps: 1. Pull the cages from the bay, 2. Clean the oysters in fresh water, 3. Remove any predators, 4. Measure and record growth, 5. Scrub and rinse cages, 6. Return the oysters to the bay. The poster includes photos of children and adults involved in oyster gardening activities, such as pulling cages, cleaning oysters, removing predators, measuring growth, scrubbing cages, and returning oysters to the bay.
Close-up of a person wearing gloves holding a freshly shucked oyster on a wooden surface.
Group of people posing outdoors near a body of water with boats, some wearing sunglasses and outdoor clothing, standing behind a cage filled with discarded vegetables or shellfish.
Two people on a boat handling traps filled with crabs, with water and shoreline in the background.
Group of people on a dock by the water collecting or cleaning seafood, with boats anchored in the background on a sunny day.
Group of people holding a banner that says "Bring the Salon Home KISS" on a dock near the water, with lobster traps and supplies in the foreground and boats on the water in the background.
Two large, dark-colored oysters with rough, irregular shells held by a person's hand over a wooden surface.
Two people sitting on a wooden dock by the water, sorting and collecting shells into a wire cage, with buckets nearby.
Group of people on a dock, smiling, with cages of oysters in front of them, holding tools and papers, overcast sky, waterfront background.
Person holding a cluster of oysters outdoors on a wooden deck.
Group of ten people standing on a wooden dock near water, smiling at the camera, with some in athletic or casual clothing, and holding outdoor gear, under a clear blue sky.
A woman with sunglasses, a black T-shirt with a green and white tree logo, and denim shorts standing on a dock by the water, holding a cluster of oysters with a smile.
Group of people on a boat, some wearing work gloves and aprons, with baskets of shells and fishing equipment, on a dock near water.
Close-up of a person's hand holding several small, dark brown frogs with wrinkled skin, with a wooden deck and people in the background.
People working together on a dock, removing oysters from a metal oyster cage, with water and a wooden pier in the background.
Group of children and adults gathered outdoors near a body of water, some in summer clothes and hats, posing for a photo with a paddle and a sign that reads, "President's Cup".