Port Houston’s team joined Galveston Bay Foundation volunteers July 22 for this year’s Oyster Reef Restoration Project. Port Houston enjoyed a great turnout, as 34 volunteers showed up at the Sweetwater Bay Preserve in Galveston, ready to work.

Team members took turns bagging, carrying and stacking over 350 bags of recycled oyster shells along the designated oyster bar. When all was said and done, Port Houston volunteers bagged and transported over five tons of oyster shells and created an impressive 50 feet of new oyster reef bars!

Projects like these are especially important because oyster habitats are vital to the health of Galveston Bay, effectively filtering nutrients, fine sediments and toxins from the water column. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.

Oysters are also a valuable indicator species, meaning that their presence in the water can be used to gather information on the overall health of our waterways.

“We always appreciate the chance to partner with Galveston Bay Foundation. Our team accomplished a lot and we really enjoyed working on a project that directly focuses on environmental stewardship,” said Garret Berg, Assistant Community Relations Manager for Port Houston.

Port Houston’s next scheduled event with the foundation is the Texas General Land Office’s Adopt-a-Beach Program at Morgan’s Point Sept. 23.