For Hometown news
ST. LUCIE COUNTY -
More than a dozen St. Lucie County teachers participating in the Smithsonian's teacher institute workshop created and deployed more than 400 oyster reef modules as part of the county's oyster reef restoration program.
Fifteen teachers taking part in the workshop spent two days in early August placing oyster shells in mesh bags and then deploying them in the Indian River Lagoon near Boston Avenue.
The Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce received funding from the Indian River Lagoon license plate program to conduct the week-long teacher workshop, which educated area teachers about the important biodiversity and economic impact that the Indian River Lagoon has on the Treasure Coast.
Participating schools included: Lincoln Park Academy, Manatee Academy, St. Lucie West K-8, Savanna Ridge Elementary, St. Lucie West Centennial High, Southern Oaks Middle, St. Lucie Elementary, Treasure Coast High and Westgate K-8.
St. Lucie County's Erosion District holds several state permits to allow the county to create new oyster reefs in pre-approved locations of the Indian River Lagoon. Oyster beds help improve water quality and provide habitat for marine life.
St. Lucie County's oyster reef restoration program is conducted in partnership with Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida SeaGrant and Indian River Lagoon Solutions.
For more information about volunteering or donating oyster shells, call (772) 462-1713 or email oppenbornj@stlucieco.org.