WORKING TOGETHER T0 RESTORE NEW YORK HARBOR ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018
OUR MISSION
To restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives
OUR VISION
RYAN, Vessel Operations student at New York Harbor School and Deckhand at New York Water Taxi
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 1
A future in which New York Harbor is the center of a rich, diverse, and abundant estuary. The communities that surround this complex ecosystem have helped construct it, and in return benefit from it, with endless opportunities for work, education, and recreation. The harbor is a world-class public space, well used and well cared for— our Commons.
“ WITH BILLION OYSTER PROJECT, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO KNOW NEW YORK HARBOR. I HELPED RESTORE OYSTERS AS PART OF MY CLASSES, AND THANKS TO LEARNING AND PRACTICING VESSEL TRAINING IN SCHOOL, I’M NOW WORKING FOR NEW YORK WATER TAXI.”
DEAR FRIENDS:
Billion Oyster Project (BOP) was founded on the belief that direct engagement and interaction with wild animals and functioning ecosystems has a transformative effect on young people. As our world is increasingly urbanized, there is a growing subset of the human population that is coming of age separate from nature. Simultaneously, efforts abound aimed at increasing engagement in school to improve outcomes for millions of young people. Too often, these interventions exist in the vacuum of school without the real-world, hands-on implementation that leads to improved self confidence, authentic problem solving, teamwork, and the belief that anyone and everyone has the power to affect positive change.
Billion Oyster Project grew out of the New York Harbor School. Harbor School staff and students remain integral to the reef construction and monitoring activities of BOP. Our reef installations are designed to leverage the skills these students are learning in their Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes: Aquaculture, Marine Biology Research, Marine Policy and Advocacy, Marine Systems Technology, Ocean Engineering, Professional Diving, and Vessel Operations. Students design and weld oyster reef structures, operate and maintain vessels, grow oysters, and conduct research projects at these sites. Through this work, these young people gain experience in maritime trades and access to marine careers available locally. New York Harbor is a massively degraded natural system. Every time it rains, billions of gallons of untreated household wastewater enter the system. Underwater visibility is very low, often less than a foot. Currents are strong and commercial traffic is constant. To restore 1 billion oysters in this challenging environment, it is essential to engage the entire metropolitan TOP: Pete Malinowski, Executive Director and Murray Fisher, Chairman
community. With this in mind, it is with great pride that we present to you this Annual Report of the work of Billion Oyster Project. As much as this is meant to communicate what we have accomplished, it strikes us that it is really a reflection of the effort of thousands of students, donors, volunteers, and partners who are all coming together to restore one billion oysters to New York Harbor. When we created Billion Oyster Project together, we believed that such an ambitious and important project had the potential to mobilize an extraordinarily diverse and passionate group of people to reclaim our Harbor. But we never could have imagined the energy and excitement that has come from this work. We are so proud of the reefs we have built with communities throughout the city. We are so proud of the thousands of middle school students who are learning through the lens of oyster restoration. We are so proud of the Harbor School students who are actively growing the oysters, building the reef infrastructure, planting the reefs, monitoring the success of the reefs, and advocating for more oysters and more access—all through BOP and with BOP’s support. None of this work would be possible without the generosity of private individuals and institutions who believe in us and in our ability to deliver on our ambitious mission: to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor together.
WITH APPRECIATION, MURRAY AND PETE
KATE ORFF, Board Member, founder and principal of SCAPE Landscape Architecture BOARD OF DIRECTORS Murray Fisher, Chair • Sophia C. Koven, Vice Chair • L. Mercedes Tech, Treasurer Brad Burnham, Chair Emeritus • S. Elizabeth Alter • Robin Bramwell-Stewart • David Cameron • Jayni Chase Andria Castellanos • Captain John DeCruz • Noah Heller • Ayana Elizabeth Johnson • James F. Lima Carleen Lyden-Walker • Chris Mole • Kate Orff • Elliot H. Steelman • Shea Thorvaldsen
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 2–3
Billion Oyster Project is an attempt to bring these too often separate issues together. It has grown from the belief that if we are to continue living, working, teaching, and learning on this planet, we must fundamentally change how humans interact with nature. Our solution began in a New York Harbor School Aquaculture classroom and has grown into a region-wide initiative involving 70 restaurants, 75 public schools, thousands of students, millions of oysters, and a dozen active restoration and research sites.
“ I DEEPLY BELIEVE IN THE WORK OF BILLION OYSTER PROJECT–IT OFFERS A PATHWAY TOWARD A FUTURE WITH ENGAGED, COMMITTED STEWARDS WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A MORE RESILIENT AND BIODIVERSE COASTAL LANDSCAPE.”
Oysters played an important role in this magnificence. Lovingly referred to as “ecosystem engineers,” oysters have the remarkable ability to create the conditions in which other organisms—and entire ecosystems—thrive. TOGETHER WITH INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES FROM THE FIVE BOROUGHS, WE CAN RESTORE OYSTER REEFS TO NEW YORK HARBOR AND EXPERIENCE OUR WATERWAYS AS A BELOVED COMMONS.
1609
1600s 1800s 1906 1972
2014
When Henry Hudson entered New York Harbor, he navigated around 220,000 acres of oyster reefs. New York Harbor was one of the most biologically productive, diverse, and dynamic environments on the planet.
New York City’s Pearl Street was named for the many oysters found in the waters.
Water quality has improved enough that oysters and other life can survive in New York Harbor, including oysters, mussels, and clams.
“Before the 20th century, when people thought of New York, they thought of oysters.This is what New York was to the world—a great oceangoing port where people ate succulent local oysters from their harbor. Visitors looked forward to trying them. New Yorkers ate them constantly. They also sold them by the millions.” —Mark Kurlansky, Author of The Big Oyster
Oyster houses dotted the streets of lower Manhattan.
New York Harbor was nearly lifeless due to pollution and overharvesting.
The Clean Water Act prohibited regular dumping of waste and raw sewage into the harbor.
The nonprofit Billion Oyster Project launches in New York City, with the goal of restoring 1 billion oysters to New York Harbor by the year 2035.
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 4–5
Oyster reefs have the power to transform NY Harbor. They provide habitat for thousands of marine species, filter water, and can help shield NYC shorelines from storm damage. And did you know–New York City was once oyster capital of the world?
IMAGINE NEW YORK HARBOR AS TEEMING WITH LIFE AS A TROPICAL RAINFOREST. It once was. Thousands of marine species, from dolphins to seals to herring to scallops, were a regular part of the rhythms and beauty of what is now known as the East and Hudson Rivers.
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BACK TO THE FUTURE
s
2018
9 active oyster reefs (7 acres), 3 floating oyster hubs, and 27,475,800 oysters have been installed in
New York City waterways since 2014.
500+ Harbor School students have contributed to Billion Oyster Project as part of their Career and Technical Education (CTE) experience.
6,000+ students from across the 5 boroughs monitor
oyster and harbor health as part of their STEM education.
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 6–7
The people of New York City’s five boroughs are bringing oyster reefs back, with help from the BILLION OYSTER PROJECT!
p As of June 2018:
2017–2018 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
WE REACHED THE 1 MILLION POUNDS OF SHELL MARK! Special thanks to the 70+ NYC restaurants who donate their oyster shells every day to help restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor.
70+ RESTAURANTS DONATED 332,493 SHELLS, so that baby oysters could attach to them and survive in the harbor.
50+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS came out to oyster reefs to help with installation and monitoring.s
500+ STUDENTS ACROSS THE CITY monitored oyster growth and water quality and logged data on their waterfront location, as part of their STEM education. i
600+ VOLUNTEERS came out to Governors Island to help us assemble reef structures.
6 RESEARCH ASSOCIATE TECHNICIANS helped with restoration, marine science, conservation, public engagement, philanthropy, communications, and operations. i “I’m walking away from this summer having learned how to operate and drive boats in New York Harbor, feed, shuck, and measure oysters, build cages, install reefs, teach kids, work with corporate volunteers, the list goes on. I was never bored this summer!” —Sophie, Research Associate Technician
WE’RE PARTNERING WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY to measure oyster health at our reef sites. This year the first report was published, and so far, oyster growth is promising.i Photo credit: The Nature Conservancy.
19 INTERNS FROM THE HARBOR SCHOOL worked with Billion Oyster Project this summer. “My mom asks me how was my internship today, and I say fun. It’s challenging and fun.” —Lisette, Billion Oyster Project intern and Harbor School student p
18 DIVING STUDENTS TRAVELED TO THE BAHAMAS TO DEEPEN THEIR DIVING SKILLS and participated in 15+ dives over five days. Accompanied by 3 seniors and Billion Oyster Project staff, 15 sophomores received their PADI Advanced Open Water and AWARE Fish Identification certifications during this trip. f
Billion Oyster Project was selected by NYS Thruway Authority to construct 422 REEF STRUCTURES FOR THE LARGEST OYSTER REEF SYSTEM WE’VE WORKED ON TO DATE—5+ ACRES IN THE HUDSON RIVER. Structures went into the water in summer 2018. The goal: to help restore wild oyster population that was displaced during the construction of the new Mario M. Cuomo Bridge near the old Tappan Zee Bridge. AKRF, Inc, is project and engineering lead, and Hudson River Foundation and University of New Hampshire are research partners. This project is managed by the NYS Thruway Authority. (Pictured on previous page.)
200+ MIDDLE-SCHOOL SCIENTISTS from across New York City presented their findings at Billion Oyster Project’s 4th Annual Research Symposium, made possible in part by a generous grant from the Marta Heflin Foundation. p
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 8–9
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION renewed its support for Billion Oyster Project’s field-sciencebased middle-school curriculum development and teacher training, with additional funding allowing us to expand the program to public elementary schools and high schools. $4,500,000, in the form of two new grants for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, will focus on increasing student motivations and capacities to pursue STEM careers, especially within underrepresented groups in these fields.
New York City locals and Billion Oyster Project installed a NEW COMMUNITY REEF: THE CANARSIE COMMUNITY REEF. i
Harbor School students from PROFESSIONAL DIVING, OCEAN ENGINEERING, AND MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH visited the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. s
AQUACULTURE STUDENTS at Harbor School grew 1,375,000 oysters in the hatchery. s
150+ NEW YORK HARBOR SCHOOL STUDENTS designed and welded oyster reef structures, grew oysters in our hatchery, dove, drove boats, argued for marine policies, and/or performed marine biology research. p
CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERS, AKRF AND HDR ENGINEERS Employees from engineering firms AKRF and HDR helped out for the day on Governors Island. They built 111 mesh inserts for oyster reef structures in just one day, in a friendly face-off. i
“ ...THE OYSTERS, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE OR WHAT THEY DID, BUT NOW AFTER A YEAR WORKING WITH BILLION OYSTER PROJECT, I CAN’T WAIT TO HELP PLANT OYSTERS ALL OVER NYC.” STEVEN, Professional Diving student at New York Harbor School
ASHLEY, middle-school student at WHEELS
TEACHER CLARISSA LYNN Clarissa has been known to climb fences so that her students can have an Oyster Research Station. In a concrete ‘Greenway’ near the FDR Drive, Clarissa’s students are mesmerized by the natural world thanks to her tenacity, reflectiveness, and generosity of spirit.
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ST. CLARE SCHOOL STUDENTS As part of their participation in Billion Oyster Project, a team of robotics students at the St. Clare School created a prototype with proposed enhancements to the Billion Oyster Project oyster research station (the structure NYC schools use to install and monitor oysters in local waters). The team’s creativity won them the NYC FIRST LEGO League Champion’s Award, and they then travelled to Detroit to participate in the world championship. i
“I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS PROJECT. IT IS SO FULFILLING. IT FEELS LIKE MY LIFE’S CALLING.” CLARISSA, teacher at Central Park East II school
Tunicates
Oyster Toadfish
Skillet Fish
RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK HARBOR This skillet fish, this oyster toadfish, and these tunicates (animals that look like flowers), are just some of the many animals that Billion Oyster Project staff and students observed near oyster reefs this year.
HARBOR SCHOOL STUDENT ASLY Asly has helped us to grow millions of oysters in our hatchery at Governors Island, both as a Harbor School student and a Billion Oyster Project summer intern. This year she also spoke at the United Nations on World Oceans Day, standing up for the ocean beside Cody Simpson and other passionate changemakers. i
“ Getting into the Next Generation Science Standards– getting involved in something like Billion Oyster Project, you’re doing it. The field work entices the kids, getting to work with pros in the field. They get engaged in actively collecting real-world data. They love the excursions and working with different types of tools. And the lessons we learn come up all school year. There are so many benefits to a project like this.” MARY LEE, teacher at St. Clare School
CHEF TODD MITGANG AND CRAVE FISHBAR Crave Fishbar doesn’t just donate its shells to Billion Oyster Project. The restaurant team, led by Chef Todd Mitgang and Brian Owens, joins us every year for volunteer days and participates in Billion Oyster Project’s annual fundraisers. s
VOLUNTEERS LUCAS AND MARK Lucas and Mark were essential to the project of welding 422 gabion reef structures for the Hudson River reef system. They even came up with an improved design for the structures, which the Billion Oyster Project team is now prototyping. i
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 10–11
FACES AND VOICES OF BILLION OYSTER PROJECT
“ Thank you so much for everything you taught me. I not only realized how our community has to change, but it taught me the importance of life outside of humans. We need to take care of our shorelines. As a community we need to come together to restore our community. Thank you!”
MEET OUR FLAGSHIP SCHOOL: The Urban Assembly NEW YORK HARBOR SCHOOL
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS As sophomores, all students enroll in one of seven CTE programs of study, leading to industry certification in marine science or technology. The experience includes a continuum of work-based learning, and Billion Oyster Project provides a real-world context for practicing maritime skills. Freshmen are introduced to various CTE programs via Harbor Class. For each CTE program, a Billion Oyster Project staff member, or “BOP Professional,” acts as an instructor and advisor to students and leads Billion Oyster Project activities, such as growing oysters in the Aquaculture lab or designing reef structures in Ocean Engineering.
OCEAN ENGINEERING
This program introduces students to engineering in an ocean environment. They design, build, and operate Remotely Operated Vehicles that can be used to collect data and monitor oyster reefs. Ocean Engineering students also design the 3D structures used to build reefs. s
Billion Oyster Project supports the Harbor School’s seven Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, extracurricular programs and activities, and waterfront operations.
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MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH
Students begin their studies by learning the basics of biology, ecology, and oceanography, and finish their senior year having engaged in high-level scientific research with mentor scientists. Students use their research to propose solutions to environmental problems and questions. i
PROFESSIONAL DIVING
This program is the only one of its kind in the United States, training public high-school students as effective scientific SCUBA divers and putting them to work underwater on real environmental restoration projects. Professional Diving students can graduate to careers in the commercial and recreational diving industries and work directly with Billion Oyster Project as they dive to install and inspect reef structures and oysters. s
AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture students work toward understanding the fundamentals of water chemistry, organism biology, business, and marketing. Students grow oysters for Billion Oyster Project. i
MARINE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY
This program prepares students for careers in building, maintaining and repairing boats, and culminates in an American Boat and Yacht Council’s Marine Systems Technician Certificate. Students put their vessel maintenance skills to use building “oyster cabinets” —the infrastructure for many reefs.
Students will develop a clear understanding of the principles and applications of environmental/marine policy and law, through the study of the maritime industry and oyster restoration. They will be able to communicate the role of citizen engagement in policy making, as well as the roles of community, education, and government in the development and implementation of law and policy in our waterways.
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MARINE POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Extracurricular and Summer Programs AQUAPONICS CLUB BOATBUILDING CLUB HARBOR ANGLERS FISHING CLUB HARBOR CORPS HARBOR SEALS CITIZEN SCIENCE INDOCK ROWING SAILING WATERFRONT CLUB WELDING CLUB
“ I LOVE THAT WE’RE DOING WORK THAT’S IMPORTANT, DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO UNDER WATER. IN MY MIND, THIS IS MY FIRST JOB IN DIVING. I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT CSOS [Combined Sewer Overflows] UNTIL I STARTED WORKING WITH BILLION OYSTER PROJECT. MY FAMILY IS EXCITED TOO, WE’RE GOING TO RECYCLE, BE CAUTIOUS OF OUR WATER USAGE, AND KEEP UP WITH THE PROGRESS OF NY HARBOR’S WATER.” ROB, Billion Oyster Project intern and Harbor School student
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 12–13
The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, a maritime high school located on Governors Island, is the flagship school of Billion Oyster Project, and its students take on a leadership role in our work— growing oysters, designing and building oyster reef structures, diving to monitor reefs, operating boats, performing marine biology research, and more.
VESSEL OPERATIONS
This program prepares students for careers as licensed deck crew, and serves as a stepping stone into management and operations positions aboard small passenger vessels and commercial towing units. Students operate the vessels required to build, maintain, and monitor BOP’s oyster hatchery, reef sites, and floating oyster hubs.
CASE STUDY:
Sunset Park Community Reef at Bush Terminal Park
OYSTER GROWTH IS PROMISING
We put oysters into New York Harbor as small “spat,” and they’re growing and surviving in these waters. Oysters are forming reefs, complex 3D structures that create habitat—like an underwater city— for thousands of species. The growth pattern of Bush Terminal Park oysters resembles that of wild oyster reefs in other regions. A great sign for oyster restoration in New York Harbor!
shell height (mm)
RESTAURANTS COMMUNITY PARTNERS
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 14–15
and “BOP Professional”
OYSTER NURSERIES
OYSTER RESEARCH STATIONS
75
“ When we go out to our reef sites, we always see an abundance of all these different types of encrusting invertebrates, and we’re also seeing a bunch of small specialist fish and crabs, that thrive in an oyster habitat, a reef habitat. They might not necessarily have that habitat without oysters being there.” LIZ BURMESTER, Restoration Ecologist
REEFS
SCHOOLS
OYSTER MONITORING / BUSH TERMINAL PARK
50
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT NEAR YOU
25
0
9/16
12/16
3/17
6/17
9/17
12/17
OYSTER GROWTH OVER ONE YEAR <10 mm
Young oysters when first attached to shell, aka “spat-on shell”
~30 mm
Oysters after 13 weeks on shell
~70 mm
Oysters after 12 months on shell
FUN FACT! This year we are seeing excellent “recruitment” among New
York Harbor oysters, meaning that baby oysters near our Oyster Research Stations and reefs are settling on the shells we put out for them. Sightings are widespread, including Soundview and Castle Hill in the Bronx, Coney Island Creek, West 79th Street Boat Basin, and Pier 40 near Greenwich Village.
Join the movement!
WITH THANKS TO
THANK YOU TO OUR 2017–2018 SUPPORTERS
Individual Supporters $25,000+
Emily and Murray Fisher Sophia and Jamie Koven
$10,000+
Rob and Genevieve Lynch Hannah Swett
$5,000–$9,999
$2,500–$4,999
Our generous supporters make it possible for Billion Oyster Project to exist. Thank you to organizations and individuals who invest in our work.
Sally and Chuck Carpenter Nancy Crawford Samara Daly Lauren and David Farnsworth Edward and Karen Fraioli Mitchell and Jill Friedman Stephen Glascock Kenneth Stein Leatrice Haiken Jake Kramer Iqbal and Shelby Mamdani Carter Strickland Mark Tercek Shea and Kristin Thorvaldsen Nick Wachtel
$1,000–$2,499
Paul Balser, Sr. George Bennett Merritt Birnbaum Ebenezer Bond Daniella Botterbusch and James Cole Collis Boyce Tom Bradley
$500—$999
Amanda Barstow Lorraine Bell Frederic and Susan Billings III Roberta B. Bocock Amy and Eugene Boesch Michael Bowles Robert Buford and Barbara Iason James Cabaniss Jeff Carey Jeffrey Chetirko Martha and John Connell Michael Cuomo Chris Dameron Rudi Ehrlich Daniel Emerson Brooke Esposito Amy Farber Brooke Flohr Gavin Fraser William Garner Glenn Gately Kathleen and Josh Gladstone John Griffin Amy Henderson Lucinda Herrick and Charles Moffett Gerald Hoffnagle Elizabeth Hunter Adam Jacobson Ayana Elizabeth Johnson Gerold Klauer Leslie Gruss and Michael Kramer Nick Malinowski Pete Malinowski John Marchand Caroline McCarthy Patrick R. McElduff Michael and Kristin McNamara Stephen Milliken Erica Neiges Yaniv Nord Philip Norman Brita Olsen John Panichi Miyang Park Nancy Pearson Pamela Peterson Francis Petrie Lori Price
Margaret Ratner Kate and Scott Reid Emma Riccardi Nicholas Riva Amy Rosenbloom Michael Santini Steven Schleider Chris Schumacher Rich Schwab Evie and Strother Scott Terryl Simeina Harry Simino Larry Slaughter Philip Turner Caitlin Van Dusen Jeanne-Marie and Pim van Hemmen Jessie Wachtel Warren Webster Adam Wexler
$250–$499
Crysta Abell Michael Allen Joshua Alpern Caroline Andersen Scott Bacigalupo Lisa Barlow Erin Baskett Amrita Bhandari Corinne Bilerman Susan Bissett Karen Blake Reed Bohne Jason Borges Susan Borschel Jonathan Boulware Philippa Brashear Laurie and Paul Bratone Sarah Brown-Adams Erik Caspersen Sarah and Erik Cetrulo Kyung Cho Franklin Chung Dino Colacito Carter and Stephanie Craft David Crofton and Dawn Casale Robert Croonquist Maria Davis Richard Dodd
Joelle Downes Dena Driver Stephanie and Nathan Dudley Kelly Dunn KC Dustin Chris Ernst Cesar Estela Nat Farnham Matthew and Laura Feil John and Dolly Fisher Jim Folks Emma Forster Marcus Fox Laura Fry Sofia Garcelon Pedro Garcia James Gaston Melina Giakoumis Michael Goldstein Emily Gove Laura Grandhi Crystal Green Cara Greenberg Bruce Gross Amanda Gruskos Lee Ferguson Gruzen Arthur and Alison Hall Colby Hall Jane Hammerslough Matthew Heinz Grant Hewit Rosa Heyman Jeff Hunter Leslie Ide Roxanne Jacobson Craig Johanson Alicia Johnson Brandon Kessler Amie LaRosa Kim Latour Ninette Lau Jeffrey Lee Katherine Lee Kevin Livingston Christen Loper Maria isabel Ayres Machado Steve and Sarah Malinowski Margaret Mallan Phillip Marriott Anthony Martignetti
Eric Martineau-Fortin Meredith Massey David McGilvray Alice Reed and Hunter McGuire Morteza Meftah Alex Meshechok Edith Meyer Adrienne Miller Louisa Gillen and Chris Mole Marco Molina Ian Murphy Maridi Nalle Erin O’Callaghan Ephrat Ofer Katharine Ogg Jono Oliver Diane Orr Sam Page Elise Pettus Marian Phillipson Albrecht Pichler Julie Pitman Jan Plass Suzanne Pollard Kelly Pontano Samantha Potter Margaret Rankin Isabelle Riccardi Ditah Rimer Matthew Rixon Patricia Rossi Annelise Schantz Brandon Schubert Steven Schulman Daniel Seidler Jean Sharkey John Sheehan Keech Shetty Graham Siener Petra Slater Rachael Stacom Katherine Steele Karli Stein Erin Stookey Celeste Suggs Sammy Suzuki Ed Swenson and Liz Walker Alicia Thomas Gerald Valgora Hendrik F. van Hemmen
Linda Varoli Elliott Walker Yaron Werber Judy Wise Michael Wuerth Alex Zablocki
$100–$249
Claire Abenante Heather Adamson Jose Alvarez John B. Ashton Holley Atkinson Christine Baker Bruno Baretta Capt. Kevin Barrow Stephanie Bartz Christina Bennison Bryan Gregory Benson Carl Bentsen Meredith Bettencourt Denielle Sachs Natalie Bocock Turnage Sandy and Page Bond Jon Bowermaster Molly Boyd Alysha Brady Diana Bratu Jon and Susan Britt Jordan Brown Miggie and Barry Bryan Eric J. Bulis Lorraine Burmester Heather and David Burnham Alex Burstein Tara Lee Byrne Kimfa Carrington Warwick Carter Leandra Charsky Sue Childs Nelson Chin Alice Chiu Christina Clark Gregory Cohen Sue Collard Pamela Crandall-Luby Uriah Crane Christina Cristaldi Beatriz da Costa Ivanie Dang
Catherine Danyko-Sage Malcolm Davis John DeCruz Michael Deermount Neal DeSimone Lauren DeSteno Douglas Douty Cindy and Wayne Driscoll Karen Drucker Meghan Duffy Mike Dulong J. Sandy Eames Megan Elias Benjamin Engber Joan Farber Laura and Kenny Feldman Susan and Harry Ferguson Ellen Fishman Adam Fogle Janet Fonseca Allison Forstmann Pamela Mollie Fox Evan Friedman Vanessa Fusco David Gadsby Mylik Ganey Kassia Garfield Amelia Gary Andrew Gonzales Philip Graham Carol Hallinger Lonnie Harrington Hugh Hawkins Aneal Helms Clay Hiles Frederick and Mary Buford Hitz Patricia Hoffman Ben Homer Kevin Horbatiuk Nancy Hoving Deborah Hrbek W. Keith Jackson Susan Jaquish Emily Johnson Philip Jonat James and Nancy Jones III Joseph Terence Elizabeth Kaczmarczyk Paulo Kaiser Randi Kassover
Chelsea Kelley Elizabeth Kelly Jared Killeen William Klebenov Kellie Knight Chris Koehnken Arthur Kuijpers Trudy Lackey Judith and Ward Landrigan Veronika LaRocque Spencer Larson Michael Lashutka and Alison Rotschild Peter and Susan Lawrence John Leonard Jeffrey Levinton Ronald Liebes Elsa Lignos Lars Lindahl Eugene Linden Sarah Lopez Clayton Love Wesley Lutken Thomas Maginnis Michael Manno Richard Martin Alex Matthiessen Emilio Meyo Dorsey Montenecourt William Moore Katie Mosher Julia Moskin Barbara Neville and Jay Paul James Katherine Noto William Nugent Emily O’Neill Meredeth Oliver Kathleen Heenan and Clarence Olmstead Jennifer Oratio Elizabeth Orr Barbara Pantuso Pamela and Robert Pelletreau Corey Peterson Jenny Pichardo Clare Pidot David Polakoff Tara Potter Alex Pound
James Powers Ashley Purdum Barbara Putnam Bryan Rackley Jessica Radburn Douglas Rand Sheila Raymundo Helen Scott Reed Nan Richardson Scott Richter Don Riepe John Rohrbach Peter Romano Kay and Peter Rossiter Michael and Alison Rothschild Michael Rubino Todd Saktor Erica Schlaug Chris Sciacca Paul Sciacca Gregory Scott Nikita Scott Timothy Scott Diego Segalini Paul Sheldon Catherine and Graham Short Stacie Sinder Jeff Smith Fiona Spruill Cas and Alex Stachelberg Krista Stein Scott Stein Anna Stevens John Stewart Michael Strauss Paula Szuchman Timothy Taft Richard Thompson Peter Thorsen Richard Thurston David Torchiano Judson Traphagen Andrew Tucker Suzanne Urich Alexander Vaccarella Peter Vassallo Holly Vegas Cyrill Villemin John Waanders Madeline Wachtel
Andreas Wallendahl Jack Wasylyk Robert Watt Nancy Webster Max Williams David Wise Ashley Woerner George Wong Mary Denny Wray Sarah Douglis and Marc Yaggi Christine Yasaitis Jon Young Linda Zabriskie
We apologize for any inadvertent omissions.
CREDITS Thank you to all who have contributed photography to this report: Rosie Cohe David Hawkins Kirsten Midura Agata Poniatowski Matt Rainey This annual report was designed by Melanie Roberts.
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 16–17
S. Elizabeth Alter and Charles Duhigg Cynthia and John Deermount Jeanne Donovan Fisher Austin and Gwen Fragomen Chandler Reedy Joseph Slakas and Barbara Hart Elliot and Jocelyn Steelman Bill Wachtel Andrew Zacks
Rob Buchanan Pam and David Cameron Amy Chang Jayni and Chevy Chase Randy Cicola Anastasia Cole Plakias Priscilla Clements Cornelia Cremens Joyce Crofton Sean Dalton Hannah Davis Suzanne Dvells Charles Edwards Jane Martin Sandy and Rossie Fisher Rafael Fogel Gregory Gerard Peter Ghazzawi Harry Greenstone Cynthia and Matthew Haiken Scott Hand Sarah Hartman Dixon and Janet Harvey Trey and Kate Huey Adam Isserlis Ronald Janis and Dr. Susan Spear Emily Mason Kahn Susan Kelly Joseph Kerrey and Sarah Paley Richard Kite John Lavelle The Lieberman Family James Lima Carleen Lyden-Walker Rebecca and Jay Markley Heather Nesle Nicholas Panagopulos Jin Park Andrew Pitts Peter & Meredith Rugg Adam Shebitz Carla Shen Barry L. Steelman Jay and Sarah Sullivan Alexander Swistel The Jerome & Dolores Gewirtz Charitable Trust Will Wiltshire Jeffrey Younger
WITH THANKS TO OUR
The William & Mary Greve Foundation
Institutional and Corporate Supporters
The Harrison Foundation
American Express Autonomous Research Barclays Capital Bloomberg Philanthropies Blue Point Brewing Company BMO Capital Brookfield Bocock Fund Building Conservation Trust BTIG Consolidated Edison Colgate-Palmolive Inner City Education Fund Cowan and Company Crave Fishbar Credit Suisse Crown Finish Caves LLC Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation CW&Co Dalio Philanthropies DeLaCour Family Foundation Deutsche Bank James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation Henry L. and Grace Doherty Foundation D’Onofrio General Contractors Corp. Andrew K. Dwyer Foundation Dynasty Financial Partners Erie Basin Marine Associates ExxonMobil EZE Software Group
The Heckscher Foundation for Children Marta Heflin Foundation Mara Hoffman Inc. The Hollyhock Foundation
New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery New York State Transit Authority The Overbrook Foundation Pace University
Hornblower Cruises
Persak & Wurmfeld Yacht Design Naval Architecture
Hugo Neu
Piper Jaffray
In the Raw
The Warburg Pincus Foundation
Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Proud Pour
The Jeffrey
Real Oyster Cult
Jones Day Jones Trading LLC JP Morgan Kamco Knickerbocker Chapter, NSDAR Knorr Family Foundation Lily Auchincloss Foundation The Lobster Place Marine Society of the City of New York Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation
Quogue Gallery Sandpiper Fund SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC Simons Foundation Something Digital S&P Global Statue Cruises Street Easy/Zillow Sun Dojo The Holly and Bradford Swett Charitable Foundation Trust
McAllister Towing and Transportation Company Inc.
Mark and Amy Tercek Foundation
The McCance Foundation
TMS Waterfront
McLaren Engineering Group Mermaid Lagoon MKM Moet Hennessy Money Positive Mook Sea Farm Moore Charitable Foundation Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Fishers Island Oyster Farm
The Rudolph J. and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation
FJC
National Science Foundation
Flora Family Foundation
New York Life
Food Film Festival
New York Waterway
Fords Gin
Nomura
Gerson Family Foundation
NRG
Gueron-Strickland Family Fund
New York City Department of Education
Goldman Sachs
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Tito’s Handmade Vodka Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Urban Oyster, Inc. van Beuren Charitable Foundation Waterkeeper Alliance Wheels Up Whole Foods Market 5% Day New York City Council Council Member Margaret S. Chin Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Council Member Daniel Dromm Council Member Costa Constantinides Council Speaker Corey Johnson Council Member Paul Vallone We apologize for any inadvertent omissions.
Interns from the Harbor School, Research Associate Technicians, and local community members help install the new Coney Island Community Reef.
GET INVOLVED DONATE
Help us to continue oyster reef building and restoration education in NYC schools. Visit bit.ly/bopgive, text “donate” to 267.460.6943, or call 646.276.2515.
VOLUNTEER
Whether at our headquarters on Governors Island or at a Community Oyster Reef near you, there are many opportunities to help. Sign up for our e-newsletter at bit.ly/bopnews.
BRING BILLION OYSTER PROJECT TO YOUR SCHOOL
Our hands-on STEM Curriculum is open to educators, at platform.bop.nyc. After signing up for the platform, teachers can register for Billion Oyster Project professional development.
BECOME A STUDENT AT NEW YORK HARBOR SCHOOL
New York Harbor School also welcomes high-school students interested in maritime careers. Contact educate@nyharbor.org.
BECOME A MEMBER
Members enjoy special perks from our restaurant and other program partners, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at NYC oyster reef restoration, and much more! Contact bop@nyharbor.org for more information.
DIVERT SHELLS FROM THE LANDFILL
If you are affiliated with a restaurant interested in reducing food waste by donating shells to Billion Oyster Project, learn about our Shell Collection Program at bit.ly/gotshells.
ATTEND A BILLION OYSTER PROJECT EVENT
Special events like Oyster Socials provide opportunities for tasting oysters, sampling paired beverages, and mingling with fellow Billion Oyster Project community members—at some of the most charming spots in the city (think Chez Moi and Grand Banks). Follow billionoyster on Twitter and Instagram and billionoysterproject on Facebook.
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 18–19
Classic Harbor Line
HDR
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
WITH THANKS TO
Community Partners We are so grateful to over 200 community partners for their shared commitment to serving New York Harbor and its surrounding communities.
Brooklyn Community Boards 2, 7, 13, 18 13 Brooklyn Crab* Brooklyn Historical Society Brooklyn Label Brooklyn Larder* Brooklyn Lighthouse* Brooklyn Marine STEM Education Alliance (BMSEA) Brooklyn Navy Yard Brooklyn Oyster Party
AKRF
Bungalow Bar*
All Hands
Canarsie Courier
American Littoral Society
Canarsie Education Council District 18
Aquagrill* Bar Belly* Bar Sardine Bar Uni Barn Joo Barnegat Collective (Sloop Point Oyster Farms, Maxwell Shellfish, Forty North Oyster Farms, Barnegat Oyster)* Baruch College Battery Park Conservancy Baylander Baywater Shellfish Farms* Beauty and Essex Behan Family Farms* Bell Book and Candle Blue Island Oysters* Blue Ribbon Brooklyn Blue Water Grill Blue Yonder Oyster Farm* Boxed Water* Bridge Lane Wines* Bronx River Alliance Brooklyn Barge Brooklyn Boatworks Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Brooklyn Children’s Museum/ SPARK
Le District
Olmsted
Steve’s Key Lime Pies*
East Pole Fish Bar*
Le Gamin
Osamil
Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill
Eataly Flatiron
Lieb Wine Cellars*
Oyster Boss*
Sunset Spark
Ed’s Chowder House
Little Creek Oyster Farm North Fork Oysters*
P.J. Clarke’s*
SUNY Maritime Waterfront Center
Pace University
SWIM Coalition
Palm Too
Taylor Shellfish Farms*
Partnerships for Parks
Thatch Island Oyster Farm*
Peconic Gold Oysters Inc*
The Clam
Per Se
The Cleaver Co.
Pier A*
The East Pole*
Pilot
The Lobster Place*
Princess Bay Boatmen’s Association
The Nature Conservancy (Mike McCann)
Raoul’s
The River Project
Rappahanock Oyster Co*
The Smith East Village
Reverb
The Smith Lincoln Square
Richmond County Yacht Club
The Smith Midtown
Riverkeeper
The Smith Nomad
Rocking the Boat
The Urban Assembly
Roxy Bar*
The Urban Divers Estaury Conservancy
Épicerie & Bar Boulud Fedora Fishers Island Oyster Farm* Five Leaves French Louie Fresh Creek Civic Association Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park Friends of Kaiser Park / Coney Island Generation Gap Gramercy Tavern
Cape Cod Oyster Co.*
Grand Army*
Cape Eleuthera Institute, Bahamas
Grand Banks Grand Central Oyster Bar
Cape Hatteras Oyster Farm*
Great Gun Shellfish Farm*
Cape May Salt Oyster Farm*
Greenpoint Fish & Lobster
Capital Oysters*
Grey Lady
Center for Family Life
Guardians of Flushing Bay
Chelsea Farms*
Hama Hama Company*
Chez Moi
Harbor Lab
City Parks Foundation
Hog Island Oyster Company, Inc.*
City Vineyard
Hollywood Oyster Company*
Claudette
Hudson River Foundation
Columbia University LamontDoherty Earth Observatory
Hudson River Park Foundation
Little Park London Lennies* Long Island City Community Boathouse M. Wells Steak House* Maison Premiere Marea Maris Stella Farms* Mayanoki* Mercer Kitchen* Mermaid Inn Mermaid Oyster Bar Merry Island Oysters* Millennium Development Montauk Shellfish Co.* Mook Sea Farm* Morimoto
Salt Water Farms/ American Mussel*
New York Academy of Sciences
Saltaire Oyster Bar & Fish House*
Trust for Governors Island
New York Aquarium
Sandy Ground
Union Club
New York City Parks
Saxon & Parole
Union Square Cafe *
New York Restoration Project
SCAPE Landscape Architecture
Urban Park Rangers
New York State Assembly
Sea Fire Grill
Vandal
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Sea Wolf*
Virgola West Village
Seamore’s Chelsea
Wagner College
Seamore’s Nolita
Watch Hill Oysters*
Seamore’s on Ice*
Waterfront Alliance
Sebago Canoe Club
West Robins*
Sel Rrose
White Stone Oyster Co.*
Smith Oyster Co*
Zabars*
North Brooklyn Boat Club
Smoking Monkey
Zadie’s Oyster Room*
Solar One
Jack the Horse Tavern
NY Performance Standards Consortium
South Street Seaport
Jamaica Bay ECO-Watchers
NYC Outward Bound
St. Francis College
Docks*
Jamaica Bay Science and Resilience Institute
NYNJ Baykeeper
Stanton Social
Dutch
Jeffrey’s Grocery
Ocean Collectiv
Staten Island Borough President’s Office
Duxbury Oyster Co*
John Dory Oyster Bar
Oceana*
Earth Matter
L&W
Office of Senator Roxanne J. Persaud
Stella Mar Oyster Company*
Coney Island Beautification Project Coney Island History Project Copps Island Oysters* Cornell University Crave Fishbar * Cull & Pistol* Cultural Divers Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms Inc.* Department of Education Devil Shoal Oyster Company*
Hudson River Park Trust Indian Neck Farm (Wellfleet Shellfish Co)* Industry City Intercontinental NY Barclay Inwood Country Club Island Creek Oysters* Island Oyster Island School, Bahamas
New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA) New York State Thruway Authority Newtown Creek Alliance Niantic Bay Shellfish Farm* Nomad Hotel
Staten Island Museum
Town of Hempstead
*These community partners also kindly donate time, talent, and product to make Billion Oyster Project events so special.
“ DAILY, I AM IMPRESSED BY THE TALENT, HARD WORK, AND DIVERSITY OF OUR STAFF. AT A TIME WHEN DIVISIVENESS AND DISCORD ARE SUCH A STRONG THREAD IN OUR CULTURE AND POLITICS, I AM INSPIRED TO SEE OUR TEAM COME TOGETHER IN SERVICE OF A MORE SOCIALLY RESILIENT CITY.” PETE MALINOWSKI, Executive Director
OUR CREW Pete Malinowski Executive Director Restoration, Education, and Community Ann Fraioli Director of Education Katie Mosher Director of Restoration Johnny Anderson Fabrication Technician Danielle Bissett Senior Project Manager Rob Buchanan Field Science and Community Hub Specialist Blyss Buitrago Community Stewardship & Engagement Manager Mike Cohen Waterfront Operations Manager Heather Flanagan Digital Learning Specialist Annie Lederberg Curriculum & Teaching Specialist Ryan Morrison Restoration Project Manager Juan Carlos Pareja Hatchery & Field Technician Tanasia Swift Community Reefs Regional Manager Robina Taliaferrow Assistant Director of Education & Outreach
BOP Professionals Industry professionals teach alongside The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School faculty. Zoë Greenberg BOP Professional Team Lead and Dive Safety Officer Liz Burmester Restoration Ecologist Randall Clarke Dennis (through October 2017) Professional Welder Jeremy Esposito (through June 2018) Hatchery Manager Luis Melendez Assistant Waterfront Director Rebecca Resner Hatchery Manager JonPaul Turner Mechanical Engineer
Development, Partnerships, and Communications Laurie Bratone Director of Development Madeline Wachtel Director of Strategic Projects Matthew Haiken Institutional Funding Officer Jennifer Ballesteros Communications Manager Charlotte Boesch Shell Collection Program Manager Montana Jernigan Development Associate Finance and Operations Vicky Maronilla Director of Finance & Administration Alberto Carreras (through May 2018) Operations Manager Theresa Case Bandouveris Office and IT Manager Mari-len Clemente Accountant
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 20–21
401 Oyster Co.*
East Beach Oyster Co*
CELEBRATIONS
Billion Oyster Party farmers and chefs
Evening at Island Oyster
NEW YORK HARBOR SCHOOL 15TH ANNIVERSARY
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This day of celebration recognized the extraordinary achievements of The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School and its students, and honored the school’s founding partners. Proceeds support Harbor School’s seven Career and Technical Education programs, extracurricular programs and activities, and waterfront operations for the 2018–2019 school year.
BILLION OYSTER PARTY
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Education through Restoration Panel. Left to right: Saskia Levy Thompson, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Ocean Collectiv, Carleen Lyden-Walker, NAMEPA, Robin Bramwell-Stewart, Port Authority of NY & NJ, and Tanasia Swift, Billion Oyster Project (Harbor School Alum)
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Murray Fisher, Co-founder, The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School
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Oyster Sampling
Saltaire Oyster Bar
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Oyster-farmer vs chefs shucking All Star Shucking Championship, presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka
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Founding honorees: The Urban Assembly, NYC Department of Education, United Federation of Teachers, New Visions for Public Schools, South Street Seaport Museum, and Waterkeeper Alliance Harbor School signing historic MOUs with the United States Coast Guard – Station New York and SUNY Maritime College, allowing opportunities for Harbor School students to study with and job-shadow Coast Guard team members, and sharing educational resources and facilities with SUNY Maritime
f Friends and supporters celebrating at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers
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BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 22–23
20+ top New York City restaurants and 50+ sustainable oyster farms from across the nation joined Billion Oyster Project to offer oyster sampling, bites from master chefs, premium beverage pairings, and an oyster-farmer vs. chefs All Star Shucking Championship. Billion Oyster Party is a ticketed spring celebration for 1,200 guests.
Harbor School student Asly takes a bow with fellow change-makers after speaking at the United Nations about how she and her peers are restoring oyster reefs to New York Harbor. s
FINANCIALS FY2018
Income: $3,422,868
Expenses: $3,414,166
FUNDRAISING
FOUNDATION
12.0%
MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL
24.7%
39.2%
INDIVIDUAL
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
76.7%
PROGRAM SERVICE
2.6% 3.4% OTHER
4.5%
CORPORATE
ASLY, Billion Oyster Project intern and Harbor School student
CONTRACT SERVICES Taken from audited financial statements from fiscal year 2018 beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018
Photo: Parley for Oceans
BILLION OYSTER PROJECT • ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 • 24–25
11.3%
25.6%
“ SPEAKING AT THE UNITED NATIONS ON WORLD OCEANS DAY WAS A BIG MOMENT FOR ME. SEEING ALL THESE IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN ONE BUILDING AND BEING ABLE TO BE PART OF THAT WAS CRAZY, WORKING AS A TEAM.”
Governors Island, 10 South Street, New York, NY 10004
BOP.NYC
@BillionOyster
@BillionOysterProject