Troop 20 Assists With Oyster Shell Recycling Project

On Thursday, July 8, Troop 20 participated in an ongoing Oyster Shell Recycling Project with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The scouts assembled at the Ralston Creek boat landing on Daniel Island. Staff from SCDNR briefed them on the purpose of the project and what tasks they would be performing that day. The project is important in a number of ways. Oysters filter water, thereby improving the water quality. Oysters build reefs which provide a habitat for fish, shrimp, crabs and other animals. Oyster reefs also act as natural breakwaters that protect shorelines from beach erosion.The scouts unloaded bags of oyster shells from two trailers and loaded them unto some boats. The DNR staff moved the boats to another part of Daniel Island while the scouts travelled by car. Once the boats reached their destination, the scouts unloaded the bags of oyster shells and placed them on the beach.

At low tide, one can see how the recycling project is proceeding. The recycled shells will regenerate oyster beds and act as a breakwater, preventing erosion.

Our Troop 20 scouts did a great job, especially when considering the high heat and humidity of a July summer day. Well done to the scouts.

For more info on this SCDNR project go to

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/shellfish/regs.html and then click on Shell Recycling.