The Oyster Recovery Partnership is dedicated to educating anyone and everyone about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay’s keystone species, the American or Eastern Oyster.
Each year ORP actively participates in dozens of local community events and festivals. Often you can find us collecting and recycling oyster shell for future restoration projects, staffing an educational information table or simply having our mascot Shelly interact with event attendees. We never get tired of talking about oysters – so the next time you’re looking for something to do, come see us. We promise you’ll learn something new.
ORP’s ever-popular oyster mascot, Shelly, can be at your next event! Email: events@oysterrecovery.org to get on her calendar.
ORP collaborates with schools, camps, scout troops and clubs to deliver a wide range of educational services for students grades 2 – 12. Our programs share one key objective – we use oysters to educate students on the Chesapeake Bay, it’s ecosystem and the important role we all play on the Bay’s overall recovery.
Based on the school or organization’s needs, programming is individually customized to achieve educational goals. Whether in the classroom or in the field, we have found that students are more engaged with hands-on activities, and more inclined to retain the STEM learning experiences we teach.
We currently offer:
To learn more and get pricing, please contact ORP’s Education Program Manager, Bryan Gomes: events@oysterrecovery.org.
Anne Arundel and Baltimore County school programs are supported by ClearShark H2O, who work to create engaging opportunities for our youth to connect with Maryland’s waterways through educational programming and the support of other like-minded organizations. ClearShark H2O strives to connect the community to its waterway.
Organizing a corporate event, group outing or presentation? ORP can partner with, and provide customized opportunities for, organizations to participate in a variety of experiences including:
ORP staff members are available to give group presentations at corporate events, chapter meetings, restaurant openings, employee retreats and more. Contact us to discuss presentation options.
Thanks to our Shell Recycling Alliance, ORP is very connected in the oyster restaurant industry. Our staff is able to help coordinate happy hour and oyster pairings, oyster shucking demonstrations and informational meet and greets.
Oyster restoration can be an excellent catalyst for meaningful team building experiences that build collective memories and strengthen group communication. These experiences include, but are not limited to a “day on the Bay” boat trip, oyster shell bagging and tours of an oyster farm or an oyster hatchery.
Call 410-990-4970 or email: events@oysterrecovery.org to learn more.
ORP manages the Marylanders Grow Oysters program from which thousands of waterfront homeowners from across Maryland are growing millions of baby oysters in cages hanging from private piers to help support Maryland’s statewide oyster restoration program. Homeowners learn about the importance of oysters to the Bay’s ecosystem as they protect the young oysters during their vulnerable first year of life. Oysters (and cages) are distributed every August and September, collected in May and June then placed on local oyster sanctuary preserves where they will continue to grow and flourish.
For more information to become an oyster grower OR have your local tributary or creek become part of the program, please call: 410-990-4970.
