Sink Your Shucks Community Oyster Reef Restoration Volunteer Event

Name: Sink Your Shucks Community Oyster Reef Restoration Volunteer Event
Start: 2026-05-09T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-09T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Goose Island State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife

Schedule

Sat May 09 2026 at 09:00 am to 12:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Goose Island State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife | Rockport, TX

Join Harte Research Institute’s Sink Your Shucks Oyster Recycling Program at Goose Island State Park to help build an oyster reef in St. Charles Bay!
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to the cause, everyone is welcome. This family-friendly volunteer event will also feature fun, educational booths for kids to explore. During this event, you will have a hands-on experience with restoration, filling bags with recycled oyster shell and placing them into the bay.
Registration is requested. You can sign up using the "Get Tickets" link above or at: https://forms.gle/esT9FVKTi62fEqKm8
What to wear:
- Closed-toe shoes that can get wet (required)
- Clothes that can get wet and dirty
- SPF or dri-fit clothes are recommended, as it can get hot out!
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
What to bring:
- Refillable water bottle
- Towels
- Bag for items
- Wading booties
What is provided:
- Water station
- Snacks
- Gloves
- Shovels
- Park bathroom facilities
- First-aid
- Volunteer t-shirts!
Directions: When you arrive at the park, please stop by Headquarters to obtain your entrance permit (fees will be waived for any volunteer helping with the event). Visitors will be directed to the pier unit with parking along the road. Two accessible parking spots are available at the pier. Please email [email protected] for accessibility questions.
The Sink Your Shucks program, founded in 2009, was the first in Texas to reclaim oyster shells from local restaurants and festivals and return them to our local waters, providing substrate to form new reefs and habitat for fish, crabs, and other organisms.
Learn more at www.SinkYourShucks.org
FAQ's:
- Will I be getting in the water? Yes, from toe-deep to waist-deep water, whichever you are most comfortable with. Wading booties for this portion of the event are recommended.
- Do I need to register in advance? Yes, registration link in tickets.
- Are there shaded areas? Yes, there will be a tented break area with snacks and a water station to fill your reusable bottles.
- Do I need to pay a State Park fee? No, fees will be waived for all event volunteers.
- Are kids welcome? Yes, there will be interactive, education booths for kids to enjoy. Shell can be heavy during bagging, and we will be near open water so close parental guidance is required.