Outer Banks Community Foundation Grant Boosts N.C. Coastal Federation’s Oyster Shell Recycling Efforts
By: Sam Walker
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s oyster shell recycling program continues to benefit from an Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) grant that was awarded five years ago.
Known as the Restaurant-to-Reef Oyster Shell Recycling Program, the initiative collects oyster shells from local restaurants for restoration efforts of the species.
The return of the bivalves in larger populations have contributed directly to cleaner water and sustainable habitat for other shellfish and finfish in North Carolina’s sounds and coastal rivers, which has been a boost for the commercial and recreational fishing sectors.
The OBCF Community Enrichment Grant to the Coastal Federation was used to help purchase a 5-foot by 8-foot dump trailer, which was a “game-changer” according to Victoria Blakey, who helps oversee the program with Erin Fleckenstein.
“The Community Foundation’s support has been invaluable,” Blakey said. “Not only did the trailer make our collection process much easier, but it also allowed us to expand the program and bring on more restaurant partners.”
North Carolina has a state law that prohibits disposing oyster shells in landfills, in part to boost efforts like the Restaurant-to-Reef program.
The Outer Banks is a prime location for the Coastal Federation’s oyster shell recycling program, given the area’s thriving restaurant scene and the love of oysters at social gatherings, fundraisers and major events.
“Before we had the trailer, we were relying on buckets to collect the shells from our restaurant partners, which was incredibly time-consuming and inefficient,” Blakely explained. “The trailer has allowed us to dramatically increase the volume of shells we can collect and transport back to our facilities.”
The Coastal Federation currently partners with nearly a dozen restaurants from Manteo to Duck, collecting thousands of bushels of oyster shells each year. Events like the annual Hatteras Island Oyster Roast, hosted by the Coastal Federation at Oden’s Dock each February, also generate significant volumes of shells that are then recycled.
The shells are allowed to cure naturally in the sun and then are taken to oyster restoration projects throughout the region.
One of the projects that the Coastal Federation completed last spring was a 100-foot-long reef in the Pamlico Sound off Pea Island which used 300 bushels of recycled oyster shells.
The Coastal Federation also maintains a half-acre demonstration oyster lease in the waters off their office at the Wanchese Marine Industrial Park. This site allows them to showcase different oyster growing techniques and gear types to those interested in starting their own oyster farm.
Looking ahead, the Coastal Federation is seeking additional funding and partnerships to expand the shell recycling efforts even further on the Outer Banks, across the state’s 20 coastal counties, and even to the inland metropolitan areas of North Carolina.
“Oysters are so important to the health of our coastal ecosystems, and the shell recycling program is a critical part of restoring and protecting those habitats,” said Blakey. “We’re grateful to the Outer Banks Community Foundation for recognizing the value of this work and providing the resources to help us grow the program.”
For more information about the N.C. Coastal Federation and the Restaurant-to-Reef Oyster Shell Recycling Program, including locations that are participating in the program and where you can drop off your oyster shells after a feast at home, visit https://www.nccoast.org/oysters/recycle-oyster-shells/.
Community Enrichment Grants are awarded twice a year. The next application deadline is Friday, January 31. Nonprofits must submit an online application to be considered. For more information about Community Enrichment Grants, please visit OBCF.org/grants.
About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.