“One Dock at a Time” Oyster Gardening
LBC’s Lemon BayWatch team is pleased to announce that we have vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) available for free placement at local docks!
What’s a VOG and why would I want one? A VOG consists of one or more strands of oyster shells threaded on stainless wire and suspended by marine rope that is attached to a dock. These vertical strands hang in the water and oyster spat attaches to the shells, growing into mature oysters. Each live oyster is capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day, providing a natural filtration system to remove algae, excess nutrients and other pollutants from the water. This in turn will improve the habitat for fish, seagrass and the hundreds of species of marine life in Lemon Bay.
Request a free VOG for your dock: We are offering VOGs free to anyone who owns a dock on a tidal water body and would like to help improve water quality. (Please note that oysters grow only in salt and brackish waters, so freshwater docks do not qualify as garden sites.) You can request a VOG for your dock by using the QR code below, or by clicking on this link: LBC Oyster Garden Installation Request
Scan the QR Code to register a request for Vertical Oyster Gardens
After we receive your request, one of our volunteers will be in touch to arrange for your VOG pickup and/or installation. Self-installation is not a difficult process, but it does require some physical dexterity and the attachment of a stainless steel bolt to the side of your dock. (You can see a copy of the VOG installation instructions by clicking here.) If you think you may need help with installation, the option to request volunteer assistance is available on the VOG installation request form.
Other ways to support the VOG water quality improvement initiative: If you have friends with docks on tidal water, please make them aware of this free program and encourage them to sign-up! If you’d be willing to help with preparing more oyster gardens, distributing VOGs, or installing VOGs, we can use help in all those areas! Please call the office at 941-830-8922, or send a note to lbconservancy@comcast.net.
