Virginia's leading environmental and governmental partners celebrated the successful completion of commitments to restore oyster reef habitat in six Virginia Chesapeake Bay tributaries on June 2 at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Brock Environmental Center.
This milestone event marks Virginia's fulfillment of its portion of the Chesapeake Bay Program's ambitious goal to restore ten Bay tributaries with oyster reefs by 2025, contributing to what is recognized as the largest oyster restoration project globally.
In Virginia, those tributaries consisted of the Lafayette, Piankatank, Great Wicomico, Elizabeth River, Lynnhaven, and lower York rivers. The Maryland portion restores five tributaries.
More than 1,000 acres of oyster reefs are part of these projects.
This event highlighted the collective efforts that have revitalized critical oyster habitats across the Commonwealth, including significant recent work in the Lynnhaven River.
Partners recognized for their collaborative success in the Lynnhaven River include the Commonwealth of Virginia, Lynnhaven River Now (LRN), Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the City of Virginia Beach. Additional partners supported work in the other five Virginia tributaries as part of the Chesapeake Bay Program's Virginia Oyster Restoration Workgroup.
"This oyster restoration success is a testament to years of dedicated work, scientific innovation, and unwavering partnership," said Chris Moore, Virginia Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "The completion of these six tributaries is a profound achievement for Virginia and a major leap forward for the health of the entire Chesapeake Bay. Oysters are the Bay's natural filters, and their return means cleaner water and a healthier ecosystem for everyone."
The Lynnhaven River stands as a prime example of this success. Due to overharvesting and pollution, a decade ago oyster habitat in the Lynnhaven River remained at a fraction of its historic scale. Thanks to oyster restoration efforts in recent years, the Lynnhaven now has 152 acres of new oyster reef that will enhance water quality and fishing while adding critical habitat for oysters, fish, crabs, shrimp, and other fish.
Funding from key partners, including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) under the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, has been instrumental in supporting these critical restoration initiatives.
"The Lynnhaven River has been a focal point of these restoration efforts, and seeing the measurable success of our reefs is incredibly rewarding. This work not only brings back a vital species but also strengthens our connection to the river and its future,” said Karen Forget, Executive Director of Lynnhaven River Now.
Virginia Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF
[email protected]
804-258-1567
