Eileen Reef Oyster Rag Pot Volunteer Installation Day

Co-Hosted by Oyster River Ecology (ORE) and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP)

Location: Eileen Reef, Manatee River

Date & Time: December 20, 2025 — 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Workday Map: Click THIS LINK

Videos about Oyster Rag Pots: Click THIS LINK

The goal of this volunteer event is to install approximately 2,000 Oyster Rag Pots (ORPs) on Eileen Reef in the Manatee River, enhancing local oyster habitat and promoting coastal resilience.

Volunteers will kayak roughly 0.5 miles from the launch point to the reef site, where they will work under the guidance of Oyster River Ecology (ORE) team leaders to install the ORPs at one-foot intervals within pre-marked restoration zones.

8:00 AM

Volunteer Check-In — Meet at the southern end of 80th Ave E (Wellon Ranch Road). Nearest address: 1717 80th Ave E, Parrish, FL. Park along the right-of-way; do not block driveways.

8:30 AM

Kayak Launch — Volunteers paddle approximately 0.5 miles to Eileen Reef.

8:45 AM

Reef Tour — ORE team showcases ORPs that have been in place for nearly one year, demonstrating their structure and ecological benefits.

9:00 AM

Training and Team Assignment — Volunteers receive detailed installation instructions and divide into four teams of 4–5 volunteers, each led by an ORE staff member.

9:15 – 10:30 AM

ORP Installation — Working in shallow water (6–18 inches), volunteers install ORPs on one-foot centers, progressing west-to-east to minimize sediment disturbance and maintain clear visibility.

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Cleanup and Equipment Collection — Empty bins are stacked, strapped to floats, and secured to the ORE work skiff.

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Return Paddle — Volunteers kayak back to the launch point.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Tailgate Lunch and Celebration — Lunch provided by Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP). Enjoy good cheer and camaraderie after a successful restoration day.

The event is scheduled to coincide with an extreme low tide (-0.53’ at 9:02 AM), ensuring shallow water depths between 6 and 18 inches at the time of installation. This allows volunteers to safely and effectively install Oyster Rag Pots (ORPs) on the exposed reef surface.

Participants should bring their own kayaks for the event. ORE and TBEP will attempt to secure a limited number of additional kayaks for volunteers who do not have access to one, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

- Closed-toed shoes that will stay on in muddy conditions

- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)

- Comfortable clothing that may get wet

- A reliable kayak with all required safety gear (life jacket, whistle, etc.)

- A pair of work gloves suitable for wet conditions

- Water and snacks as needed

- A positive attitude and enthusiasm for oyster restoration

Before volunteer arrival, boxes of ORPs will be staged on pre-positioned work floats at the Eileen Reef site. Each team will be assigned a designated rectangular work area and will follow precise placement instructions from ORE team leaders.

Working systematically from the western end of each rectangle toward the east, volunteers will install ORPs on one-foot centers. This west-to-east progression ensures that any silt stirred up by foot traffic is carried eastward by the incoming tide, maintaining clear visibility and minimizing disturbance to completed areas.

- Help restore vital oyster habitat in the Manatee River

- Improve local water quality through oyster filtration

- Support fish and wildlife species that depend on healthy reef systems

- Strengthen community engagement in coastal restoration efforts

Together, we are rebuilding Florida’s oyster reefs—one Oyster Rag Pot at a time.

This activity involves repetitive bending, lifting, and carrying materials in a shallow-water environment. Participants should be comfortable working in uneven, slippery conditions and able to handle physical tasks for extended periods. The event is best suited for experienced paddlers who are at least 16 years of age. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1717 80th Ave E, 1717 80th Avenue East, Parrish, United States

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