The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

In 2010, more than 175 volunteers helped The Nature Conservancy build oyster reef in the Pamlico Sound. The Conservancy hopes to have even more volunteers participate in 2011. Volunteers are needed to bag oyster shells and build the reef. Work days are scheduled for January 29, February 12 and 26th,  March 7th-11th, March 26th and April 9th 2011.

The work days will be held at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers should report at 8:30 a.m. to the refuge kiosk located of Highway 64 at Milltail Road. Volunteers can expect to spend three to four hours on site.

Work days are open to most people. Past work days have included elementary school children, but the work can be hot or cold depending on the season and it does require some lifting. Participants should wear close-toed shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats, and bring water and a snack. The Conservancy will provide work gloves and other materials.

It isn’t required, but it would be helpful if volunteers would let Conservancy staff know they will be participants. You can do so by calling Brian Boutin or Aaron McCall at the Conservancy’s Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve at (252) 441-2525.

Since 2002 The Nature Conservancy has helped to construct over 65 acres of oyster reef in the Pamlico Sound. It is estimate that today’s oyster reefs in the Pamlico Sound only cover about 50 percent of the area where they once existed. Oyster reefs are vital to the Sound’s health. One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, helping clean the water. The reefs also provide valuable habitat for other animals including fish, shrimp, clams and blue crabs.