Thank you for your interest in participating in the F.L.O.O.R. (Florida Oceanographic Oyster Restoration) program which actively engages the public in restoring oyster reef habitat in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Estuary! Oyster shells are collected weekly from local restaurants like yours, as part of the Florida Oceanographic Society shell recycling program. Then, with the aid of volunteers, FLOOR restores oyster habitat by constructing reefs with the bagged shell.

FLOOR is part of the Shuck and Share Program. Shuck and Share is collaborative relationship to recycle oyster shell for restoration projects in the Indian River Lagoon. This is a FREE program that diverts restaurant shell that would otherwise go in a landfill and instead places the shell on the estuary floor as reef structure. This jump-starts the process of creating a new oyster reef, while at the same time saves this precious resource. Available shell is often the most limiting factor in restoring oyster reefs, and so recycling used shell, from restaurants like yours, ensures a consistent source of substrate for oyster restoration.

Are you interested in joining our program? Are you located within 10 miles of Florida Oceanographic Society (890 NE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL)? Do you sell more than 15 dozen (1 – 2 boxes) oysters a week? Do you want to help restore the lagoon? If you answered yes to all these questions, please fill out the following form. We hope to work with you in the future!