Ecological Restoration Through Oyster Repopulation

Conducts advocacy and education efforts to promote science-based, non-political management of the Great South Bay. Focuses on reducing nitrogen pollution through public support for replacing failing septic systems and cesspools with denitrification systems or sewering in targeted areas.

Hosts public events such as "Guardians of the Water: Long Island’s Waterkeepers" and the Second Annual Oyster Ball in 2025 to raise awareness and funds for bay restoration. Appoints local Creek Defenders to advocate for specific waterways.

Organizes local residents, schools, and civic groups through the Creek Defender Program to clean and protect creeks from Lindenhurst to Mastic. Activities include debris removal and invasive species monitoring across 50 creeks flowing into the Great South Bay.

Restores native vegetation and wildlife habitat through initiatives like the Bay Friendly Yards program, native plantings along Pattersquash Creek, and the revival of the Bayview Park Native Pollinator Garden. Includes stormwater management and pesticide-free landscaping practices.

Reintroduces oysters and ribbed mussels into the Great South Bay and its estuaries through the Great South Bay Oyster Project to improve water quality via natural filtration. Plans include planting 225,000 oysters in a single summer and maintaining oyster gardens through cleaning, monitoring, and submerging crates.

Engages volunteers in monthly stewardship sessions at the Skip Gardner Native Forest and Butterfly Garden, community oyster gardening events, and staffing information tables at public events to promote awareness and hands-on restoration of the Great South Bay.

Provides educational programming for youth through the Day in the Life Program and produces a web-streamed show on Long Island’s surface and groundwater issues. Also facilitates community conversation through a Facebook group with over 13,000 members.

Secured designation of Harborfront Park as an approved site for school programs by Western Suffolk BOCES, enhancing access for educational use.

Hosts the annual Quick & Dirty Boat Building Competition, which began in 2011, where teams construct and race boats using specified materials to engage the community in maritime traditions.

Organizes beach clean-ups and participates in the Adopt-A-Beach program, engaging schools, scouts, and community members in collaborative environmental stewardship.

Secured $115,000 in public grants and community donations for the Bayles Boat Shop, including support from elected officials and local businesses, and participates in fundraising events such as sponsoring a golf hole at the Port Jefferson Rotary Club's Putt & Pub Crawl.

Constructed the post and beam building for the Bayles Boat Shop through volunteer labor and in-kind donations, including collaboration with the Timber Framers Guild and over 100 volunteers, organizations, and businesses.

Promotes appreciation, awareness, and understanding of the maritime history and marine environment of Long Island through educational programs, community outreach, and public communications such as the BOAT SHOP NEWS newsletter.

Preserves the nautical history of Port Jefferson and surrounding areas, including through the restoration of historic structures such as the Chandlery Building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Has participated in the Shellfish Restoration Program since 2000 by raising and releasing oysters, with over 500,000 adult oysters released into Port Jefferson and Mt. Sinai Harbors.

Constructing a reproduction of a colonial armed whaleboat used during the American Revolutionary War to promote Port Jefferson's role in the Culper Spy Ring, with plans for launch on May 2, 2026.

Operates the Bayles Boat Shop at Port Jefferson Harborfront Park, offering volunteer-supported construction, repair, and restoration of wooden boats up to 19 feet in length, including small boat projects and annual raffles of built craft.

Runs a Student/Youth Boat Building Program for teens ages 14 to 18, including participation in the Whaleboat 1776 Project where students shape oars, and supports scout troops in earning badges related to marine life, environment, geology, and local history.