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The Billion Oyster Project works to improve the New York Harbor

Words by Tess Becker

New York City is having something of a nature renaissance of late as conservation projects continue to green up the city and clean the water. Dolphins were spotted in the Bronx River for the first time in years and green space across the island is expanding. 

Another project in New York looking to clean up the water is the Billion Oyster Project. The goal of the project is to return 1 billion live oysters to New York Harbor by 2035 through education initiatives.

Since oysters are filter feeders, they would serve as a natural way to clean up the water while also promoting more biodiversity and life in the harbor.

The project was founded in 2014 by Murray Fisher and Pete Malinowski, who wanted to promote conservation through education. Now they offer public school students, volunteers, community scientists, and restaurants the opportunity to learn about New York City’s rich oyster history and lead the movement to restore it.

“Pete and I both had the opportunity to fall in love with the environment as kids, and we wanted to reproduce that feeling for as many kids in the city as possible,” Murray said.

If you’re passionate about something and want to make a change in your community get out and do it. Find out more.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Life Below Water.

This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

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