Billion Oyster Project Preps Youth for Sustainable Aquaculture Jobs

The mission

Billion Oyster Project is a nonprofit organization on a mission to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives. Oyster reefs provide habitat for many marine species, have the ability to filter water, and help shield New York City shorelines from storm damage. Billion Oyster Project was founded on the belief that restoration without education is temporary, and that learning outcomes improve when students have the opportunity to work on real restoration projects.

The organization designs STEM curriculum for NYC schools through the lens of oyster restoration.

They also engage Urban Assembly New York Harbor School students in large-scale restoration projects, collect discarded oyster shells from dozens of NYC restaurants, and work to engage the local community.

The program

The RBC Foundation USA currently supports the Aquaculture Program:

The Aquaculture Program is a three-year career and technical education (CTE) program at New York Harbor School, a public high school located on Governors Island in New York City, servicing a 69% high-needs student population. The field of aquaculture is booming as a global industry, providing a sustainable source of protein as wild fish populations continue to drop. In collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project, approximately 45 students study aquaculture each year: learning aquaponics, oyster and finfish production, and micro-algae cultures. Graduating with hands-on experience, aquaculture students are qualified to enter the industry directly upon graduation or go on to pursue advanced degrees in the field.