The Oyster Trail public art, education project supports oyster gardening program

Relevance:

The Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program is a volunteer-based project that focuses on education, restoration/enhancement and research by bringing the reef to the people. Since the program began in 2001, oyster gardeners have produced nearly 700,000 oysters (enough to restore approximately 34.5 acres) for restoration and enhancement efforts within Mobile Bay, which is enough to restore 34.5 acres. Additional volunteers and funding were needed to support these restoration efforts.

Response:

MASGC launched The Oyster Trail, an interactive scavenger hunt through Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama. The Oyster Trail currently has 20 5-foot-tall oyster statues that local artists have painted. A business, group or nongovernmental organization pays a yearly fee to sponsor an oyster on their property or in a public space. Each fiberglass oyster statue includes a fact plaque that displays information about oysters or estuaries. Maps and a scavenger hunt form (which includes a list of questions about the oyster facts) can be found around town or on The Oyster Trail’s website. Proceeds from oyster sponsorships go to support the ongoing restoration efforts of the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program.

Results:

18 businesses, groups, NGOs are active sponsors of The Oyster Trail. Statues placed in 18 locations around Mobile Bay provide a visual reminder of our connection to the estuarine environment and generated $32,400 in proceeds to support the Trail and Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program. Proceeds go toward material, logistical and equipment costs associated with gardening and planting efforts in Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound.

Recap:

MASGC Oyster Trail raises awareness and funds for the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program’s restoration efforts. (2014)