Young Volunteers Step Up to Restore Marine Life
On May 7, more than 75 students across the Coastal Bend region came together to help restore oyster reefs in St. Charles Bay. Working shoulder to shoulder in a human chain, these young volunteers passed over 370 bags filled with reclaimed oyster shells from the shore to the shallow waters near Goose Island State Park. Their muddy hands and soaked shoes marked hard work and a more profound commitment to environmental conservation.
A Unified Effort Across School Programs
Students restore oyster reefs with teamwork and determination. The volunteers included fourth- and fifth-graders from Fulton Elementary’s Junior Naturalist Program, maritime students from Rockport-Fulton High School, wetlands ambassadors from Flour Bluff Intermediate School, and members of the Work Industry Training and Go Green clubs at Corpus Christi’s Moody High School. Despite their varying ages and backgrounds, the students shared the same goal: to restore oyster reef habitats and protect local marine ecosystems.
“It makes me feel like I’m a part of something,” said sixth grader Brock Bridgens from Flour Bluff, a sentiment many of his peers echoed.
The Importance of Oyster Shells
Although some students admitted they’d never eat an oyster — “Too slimy,” said more than a few — they were quick to explain their value. Oysters are natural filter feeders capable of cleaning up to 50 gallons of water daily. When oyster shells are removed during harvesting and discarded in landfills, it disrupts the reef’s ability to regenerate. Young oysters, or spat, need these shells to attach and grow. Without them, oyster populations—and the ecosystems they support—decline rapidly.
“It’s just a waste,” noted fourth grader Presley Daniell when describing what happens when oyster shells end up in landfills.
Sink Your Shucks: A Community-Driven Initiative
The May 7 event was part of the Sink Your Shucks program, led by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute. This initiative collects used oyster shells from restaurants, festivals, and seafood markets and uses them to rebuild reefs. Volunteers fill biodegradable bags with shells and return them to coastal waters.
Program coordinator Stephanie Tierce emphasized the importance of involving youth. “It helps them understand our local waterways and oysters, the benefits that oysters can bring, and why we conserve,” she said.
Hands-On Learning in Action
The students filled 300 cotton bags with shells with shovels and buckets in just a few hours. Moody High School juniors Precious Noland and Abby Guerra worked side by side, recalling past participation in similar efforts. “It’s tiring at first,” Noland admitted, “but it’s rewarding once you see the product.”
Paraprofessional Jordan Campbell from Flour Bluff Intermediate noted that her students had looked forward to the event all week. Their enthusiasm was evident as they splashed through the water, helping to deposit the shell bags that would serve as the foundation for new oyster reefs.
Long-Term Impact on the Community
Beyond restoring marine biodiversity, the oyster reefs will contribute to shoreline stability and attract fish, improving the park’s ecosystem. “It’s going to have a tremendous impact in several ways,” said Goose Island State Park Superintendent Edwin Quintero. “The children who volunteered will be able to see the results years later.”
For sixth grader Gavin Gonterman, who previously visited an oyster hatchery, the hands-on experience brought everything full circle. “We learned about oysters before,” he said. “Now we’re helping them.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservationists
This student-led reef-building event marked the first school-focused volunteer effort for the Sink Your Shucks program. While many such restoration projects have taken place over the years, this one stood out for its emphasis on youth engagement.
“This is how we build stewards of our environment,” Tierce explained. “It’s one thing to learn about conservation in a classroom — it’s another to get your hands dirty and make a difference.”
Ankle-deep in water, young conservationists hauled shells, laying not just reef foundations but the groundwork for a sustainable future.