Volunteer Sign Ups
2026-2027 NEW Oyster Gardener General Interest List
Event Chair: Restore Our Shores
DETAILS:
Are you interested in training to become an Oyster Gardener, or are you a returning Oyster Gardener interested in receiving spat for the 2026-2027 season?
Oyster Gardening Interest Form
Before You Sign Up
Can you answer YES to all of the following?
- I want to help grow oysters for Brevard Zoo.
- I have a dock on the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County or live in an HOA community with a community dock.
- I can commit 1–2 hours per week to maintaining oyster habitats.
- I am not planning to be out of town for extended periods (more than 2 weeks) during the gardening season (Fall 2026–Summer 2027).
- I can lift 30 lbs.
If you answered a resounding YES to all of these questions and would like to train to be part of the Oyster Gardening Project, helping Brevard Zoo's Restore Our Shores program improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon, you're in the right place!
Oyster Gardening Training and Spat Distribution has ended for the 2025–2026 season, but if you are interested in participating next season, you can read below how to receive information about training and/or spat distribution for the 2026–2027 season.
New Oyster Gardeners
If you are new to oyster gardening, please sign up as a New Oyster Gardener. We will contact you as trainings are scheduled for Fall 2026. After attending a training workshop and building your oyster habitats, you will be invited to collect your oyster spat (baby oysters).
Once you receive your spat, you will place them into your habitats and hang them from your dock. Throughout the season, you will care for your oysters using the equipment and guidance provided by our team.
After 6–9 months of growth, you will return your oysters during our annual Homecoming event, where they will be placed on a restoration reef in their forever home within the Indian River Lagoon.
Returning Oyster Gardeners
If you have already attended Oyster Gardening training, or if you participated in previous seasons but skipped a recent season, please sign up as a Returning Oyster Gardener. This will ensure you receive information about upcoming spat distribution rather than training opportunities.
Interested but Don't Have a Dock?
Don't have a dock on the Indian River Lagoon but still want to help with Oyster Gardening?
Sign up to become an Oyster Buddy! Oyster Buddies assist gardeners and Restore Our Shores staff with various aspects of the Oyster Gardening Project.
Questions?
Please contact Restore Our Shores at:
restoreourshores@brevardzoo.org
We look forward to having you join our lagoon-loving community!
For more information about caring for your oysters check out the below videos…
Oyster Gardening Care 101 Video