Earth Day Pay Back

[Jet Ski Brian]

Today my nieghbor Julian and I put on a display of how to raise Oysters at
Poquoson High School. We talked to all the Earth Science 9th grade classes
which was about 220 young Poquosonites from 7am till 2pm. We are both
members of "TOGA", Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (http://www.oystergardener.org). We had a fish tank display
with live oysters and many bay critters that clearly displayed how oysters
are powerfull filter feeders and each can clean up to 60 gallons of water a
day. We also talked about how to raise oysters in floats, shell bags and on
shore line reefs. Julian and I have and are raising tens of thousands of
diploids in cages, bags, off of our docks and along our over 2000 ft of re-
stored shoreline reef. This is our way of giving back to the bay in a way
to help the over harvested and diseased oyster. The kids and teachers were
great today and had many good questions and comments. Mary, a retired
Poquoson principal with a local group Poquoson Citizens for the Enviroment
was also there talking about how we can improve our local and Bay waters.
Had a great day talking about something I believe in. We will also be doing the
same demonstration in the educational section of Bay Days in Hampton Va.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0040g.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0017h.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0018g.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0019i.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0032e-1.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0037d.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/JetSkiBrian/DSC_0011i.jpg

[Mike Avery]

Good stuff Brian. We've been participating in the CBF oyster program for about 6 years now.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Save the Bay: Hampton Roads - Oyster Restoration (http://www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=state_sub_va_hamptonroads_oyst errestoration)

Is this program similar?

[Jet Ski Brian]

Fish Dad, TOGA is a smaller group. We are mostly an educational that also works with VIMS. A lot of the members are water front property owners trying to
help in the restoration of local waters.

[Foots]

That monster looks yummmmy! Keep up the good work.

[bullisland]

By the way it's Bull Islanders not Poquosonites. :))

Shayne

[Zzzz]

JSB, neat thread. We grow a float off our dock, too, but getting the seed (for us amateurs southside) is tough. Do you know a local source or when the next TOGA seed sale is? Last year we had to drive the 4hrs roundtrip to Saluda....hoping for a more local source as it is time to take last year's crop, now adults, and plant them off the dock.

[Mercutio]

Brian - you constantly impress. I look forward to meeting you some day.

[hookinfinger]

Excellent !:clapping2:





Dennis:))

[Barhamsville]

Way to go bro!

[BYRD]

I'm sure the high schoolers enjoyed your visit. Great stuff.