Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife to Host Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop to Help Restore Local Waters
CAPE CORAL, FL — Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife invites the community to take part in a hands-on Vertical Oyster Garden (VOG) Workshop led by Calusa Waterkeeper on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Rotary Park in Cape Coral. This interactive event offers participants the opportunity to create their own vertical oyster gardens — an innovative, eco-friendly solution to promote cleaner waterways and thriving marine habitats.
The Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) are made from recycled oyster shells strung on wires and suspended from docks, providing a natural surface for juvenile oysters to attach and grow. Each mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing excess nutrients and helping to restore water clarity and health.
The workshop not only teaches participants how to construct their own VOG but also raises awareness about sustainable restoration efforts. The oyster shells used in the project are sourced from local restaurants, preventing waste from entering landfills. Before assembly, the shells are cured outdoors for several months at the FGCU Food Forest to ensure they are clean and safe for reuse.
Each attendee will build and take home their own VOG to hang from their dock. Additional oyster gardens will be available for purchase at the event for $25 each, while supplies last.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Rotary Park, Cape Coral, FL
💲 Donation: $25 per participant (tax-deductible)
🔗 Register Here: weblink.donorperfect.com/CCFWVOG2025
Seating is limited to 30 participants, so early registration is encouraged. The $25 donation helps cover materials and instruction time and directly supports Calusa Waterkeeper’s ongoing mission to protect and restore Southwest Florida’s waterways.
Join Calusa Waterkeeper and Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife in making a tangible impact on the environment — one oyster at a time.