Giving Back: Building Oyster Cages & Shuck Like a Pro-Social!

We're thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity to give back to our community while stepping into the role of environmental steward. TBC’s Go Green team is delighted to partner with the Oyster Recovery Partnership for a unique and impactful event.

Mark Your Calendars!

🗓️  March 21

⏰ 3:30 PM

📍TBC Center, Edgewater - in the parking garage

We're calling on all employee volunteers to join us in building cages for the Marylanders Grow Oyster Program. This initiative is not just about conservation; it's a chance for us to contribute directly to the sustainability and health of Chesapeake Bay.

But that's not all!

After our hard work, we'll shift gears to enjoy a "Shuck Like a Pro-Social." This part of the event promises to be both educational and enjoyable, featuring:

🦪 Shuck Like a Pro Instructor: Learn the art of oyster shucking with expert guidance and tips and tricks to impress.

🦪 Oyster Facts: Dive into the fascinating world of oysters and discover things you never knew about these marine marvels.

🦪 Oyster Tasting: Experience the joy of slurping fresh oysters, a true taste of the sea.

🍔 Delicious Food and Drinks: Indulge in other scrumptious offerings to complement our oyster feast.

🎁 Take-Home Shucking Knife: A special gift for you to continue your shucking journey at home.

This event is more than just a gathering; it's a commitment to being stewards of our environment and giving back to our community in a meaningful way. We encourage everyone to participate, lend a hand in the cage-building effort, and then relax and enjoy the camaraderie of our Go Green team.

Please RSVP HERE by March 14 to confirm your participation. We're looking forward to making a positive impact together and enjoying a fantastic social event.

Let's make this a day to remember!

What is the Marylanders Grow Oysters Program?

The Marylanders Grow Oysters program is a conservation initiative focused on cultivating and protecting young oysters in Maryland. It was launched in 2008 by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, specifically in the Tred Avon region. The program was started to protect young oysters during their most vulnerable first year of life and enhance the local oyster populations and ecosystems. By providing a safe environment for the oysters to mature, the program aims to eventually transplant these nurtured oysters into local sanctuaries. These sanctuaries are designated areas where the mature oysters can contribute to the ecological richness of the bay, improving water quality and providing habitat for a variety of marine life.

The Marylanders Grow Oysters program operates on a volunteer basis, encouraging local citizens to participate in oyster cultivation without any charge. Participants are given cages containing oyster spat (young oysters) to grow at their docks. The overarching goal is to create a self-sustaining oyster population that supports the health of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. The program is not just about growing oysters but also about fostering a healthier marine environment, as oysters play a critical role in filtering water and providing habitat for other species.

This initiative is managed collaboratively by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and various local organizations. Together, they work to ensure the program's success, leveraging the collective effort of thousands of Maryland residents to grow oysters and, in turn, support the bay's ecological balance and biodiversity.

Learn more about the Marylanders Grow Oysters Program, https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/mgo/index.aspx