The Northeast Florida Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) recently teamed up with NEFAR’s Charitable Foundation and donated over $27,000 to help fund the University of Northern Florida Coastal & Marine Biology Department’s Oyster Bar Project. The project’s goal is to develop an experimental living shoreline oyster reef in the St. Johns River.
When oysters reproduce, they spawn tiny larvae that look for a structure on which to permanently settle, and once they attach themselves, they’re known as spat. This process is crucial to the ocean’s health because spat filters and cleans the surrounding water and often serves as a barrier to storms and tides, preventing erosion and protecting productive inlet waters.
Named the “NEFAR Oyster Bar,” the project is designed to rebuild oyster populations by increasing the habitat for oyster spat. “NEFAR is involved in many advocacy efforts to ensure all aspects of the community are thriving,” said NEFAR President Diana Galavis. “The installation of an oyster bar highlights our commitment to community and to our most valued asset, Northeast Florida’s waterways.” 1
Joining together at a check presentation at UNF on May 5 were Amanda Feagle, CCA President and Vice President/Managing Broker of Watson’s Orange Park and Westside Offices, Mark Feagle, CCA Director of Habitat & Environmental Restoration and Orange Park Sales Associate, and Regional Vice President of Watson’s North Central Region and 2023 NEFAR Past President, Mark Rosener.
Most of us here in Florida enjoy our beloved oceans; we can’t think of a better way to give back to them!
When oysters reproduce, they spawn tiny larvae that look for a structure on which to permanently settle, and once they attach themselves, they’re known as spat. This process is crucial to the ocean’s health because spat filters and cleans the surrounding water and often serves as a barrier to storms and tides, preventing erosion and protecting productive inlet waters.
Named the “NEFAR Oyster Bar,” the project is designed to rebuild oyster populations by increasing the habitat for oyster spat. “NEFAR is involved in many advocacy efforts to ensure all aspects of the community are thriving,” said NEFAR President Diana Galavis. “The installation of an oyster bar highlights our commitment to community and to our most valued asset, Northeast Florida’s waterways.” 1
Joining together at a check presentation at UNF on May 5 were Amanda Feagle, CCA President and Vice President/Managing Broker of Watson’s Orange Park and Westside Offices, Mark Feagle, CCA Director of Habitat & Environmental Restoration and Orange Park Sales Associate, and Regional Vice President of Watson’s North Central Region and 2023 NEFAR Past President, Mark Rosener.
Most of us here in Florida enjoy our beloved oceans; we can’t think of a better way to give back to them!
The world’s their oyster! NEFAR and CCA donated $27K to UNF for NEFAR Oyster Bar Project.
1) Quote from The Beaches Leader/Ponte Vedra Leader article, 5/18/23