Oyster Castle Construction

Volunteering in SC © TNC STAFF

Volunteers and The Nature Conservancy staff will join forces to construct oyster “castles” at Jeremy Island. These oyster castles will serve as the building blocks for future oysters settling in the area. The oyster castles will provide a 3-dimesional surface for baby oysters to settle on and grow in the water column.

 Volunteers will help load/unload, transport and assemble the concrete blocks that form the oyster castles. Some volunteers will travel by boat to the island and work and maneuver in the mud. All volunteers must be in good physical condition, as heavy lifting is involved. You will need a pair of work gloves, and for those working in the mud, boots are necessary. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. If you are interested in helping us with this important project, please send an e-mail to VolunteerSC@TNC.org or call (803) 254-9049, ext 30. 

PHASE 1, July 13 & 14, starting at 11:00 AM:  Volunteers will help load and transport the concrete blocks that form the oyster castles. Some volunteers will travel by boat to the island to unload the castles in the marsh at high tide, working and maneuvering in the mud. In the event of rain or if the Phase 1 work is not completed on the 13^th, volunteers will be needed on July 14^th as well. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one 6-hour day and must have work gloves. 

PHASE 2, July 15-17, starting time varies from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, depending on the day:  Volunteers will travel to the island by boat and work in the mud to assemble the concrete blocks that form the oyster castles. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one 6-hour day and must have work gloves and high boots.