Maryland’s citizen oyster growing program has invited 12 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to coordinate oyster growing efforts in their local tributaries in 2009. Launched by Governor Martin O’Malley in September 2008, Marylanders Grow Oysters fosters stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay among citizens, and creates living oyster reef populations in protected sanctuaries to help restore the iconic species.
“We are thrilled that these organizations have been selected and will help expand this exciting program,” said Governor O’Malley. “By becoming leaders in their tributaries for Maryland’s oyster growing efforts, they will inspire others to become stewards of our waterways and promote healthy, plentiful oyster populations for many years to come.”
These 12 NGOs, located in 11 different tributaries in Maryland, will act as local project coordinators who will identify waterfront property owners willing to become oyster growers and deliver oyster cages and oysters to growers in the tributary.
NGOs include:
Magothy River Association
Severn River Association
South River Association
Coastal Conservation Association and Southern MD Oyster Cultivation Society
Wicomico Scenic River Commission
St. Mary’s River Watershed Association
Corsica River Conservancy
San Domingo Environmental Concern
La Trappe Environmental Concern
ORP and Nanticoke River Watershed Association
Annemessex Ridge Property Owners Association
Through the program, citizen volunteers tend to young oysters growing in wire mesh cages suspended from private piers for their first year of life. The oyster spat and cages are provided by DNR and other program partners at no charge to the volunteers. The oysters require minimal care – mostly rinsing the cages every two weeks.
Citizen oyster growers enjoy the personal rewards of stewardship and learn about oysters while contributing to the enhancement of an oyster reef in their local tributary. The year-old oysters are then collected and planted in a local oyster sanctuary, and a new group of young oysters are distributed to participating growers to start the process again.
The program still welcomes interested NGOs to apply for 2009. Visit http://www.oysters.maryland.gov/pdfs/Oyster_App_Doc.pdf to obtain an application, and contact Chris Judy at 410-260-8259 or cjudy@dnr.state.md.us for any additional information.
The Marylanders Grow Oysters Program is being managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. For more information about Marylanders Grow Oysters visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/oysterproject.
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