The Ambassador Program empowers our most dedicated volunteers to take on more impactful roles in New York Harbor’s oyster restoration. Ambassadors receive specialized training and gain access to opportunities beyond publicly-offered Billion Oyster Project volunteer work, including exclusive reef monitoring events, education support, and public engagement.
Together, our community of Ambassador volunteers help us collect essential data, connect New Yorkers to the waterfront, and support our mission for a harbor that is well know, loved, and cared for.
Ambassador Opportunities
RESTORATION TEAM SUPPORT
Wild Oyster Surveys
The presence of wild oysters is a key indicator of habitat suitability in NY Harbor. Help monitor wild oyster populations across New York City’s waterways to track habitat health and identify potential restoration sites.
Building Reef Structures
Support the construction of oyster reef structures to be set with oyster spat and cured shell from our Governors Island shell pile. These structures are key to setting, installing, and monitoring oysters in NY Harbor.
Oyster Spat Counts
If we are going to reach one billion oysters by 2035, we must count the oysters that we are adding to NY Harbor! Spat counts involve tallying the number of spat—or juvenile oysters—settled on or attached to reclaimed shells collected from NYC restaurants.
Reef Monitoring & Other Events
Join the Restoration field team to monitor our oyster reefs located in central and remote waterfront locations around the city. Help survey our nurseries to document growth, recruitment, and survival, and assist with reef installations and removals.
EDUCATION TEAM SUPPORT
Oyster Research Stations
Our Oyster Research Stations or ORS’, allow students, teachers, and schools to experience hands-on environmental restoration and NY Harbor stewardship at the water’s edge. Help monitor ORS cages for permit compliance and support ORS maintenance work.
Field Expedition & Student Events
Support the Education team with field days and events for students and teachers, assisting with oyster monitoring, biodiversity surveys, site condition assessment, local history, and other waterfront education activities.
Annual Student Symposium
Help facilitate Billion Oyster Project’s annual spring Student Symposium on Governors Island, where New York City students share their research, data, and projects related to our local waterways, with the broader community.
Presentations & Tabling
Assist or represent Billion Oyster Project with school presentations and tabling events to teach students and teachers about oysters, NY Harbor ecology, our local restoration work, and. more.
ADVOCACY WORK
Tabling & Outreach Events
Help Billion Oyster Project engage the public at community events by sharing information about oyster restoration, harbor history, and how to get involved to support our mission.
Oyster Social Event Support
Assist with BOP oyster socials at partner restaurants, where guests explore curated pairings, learn about New York Harbor’s ecology, our shell recycling program, and connect more deeply with our restoration work.
AMBASSDORSHIP OVERVIEW
STEPS TO BECOME A Billion Oyster Project AMBASSADOR
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
As of 2026, requirements for joining the Billion Oyster Project Ambassador Volunteer Program are as follows:
Participants must attended at least five (5) public volunteer events and let the Volunteer Team know they are interested in joining an upcoming Ambassador training. You can check out and sign up for upcoming volunteer events here -> Billion Oyster Project Public Volunteer Events.
After completing the required events, participants may submit an Ambassador Program Interest Form to be contacted when a training session with available space opens for sign-up. Ambassador trainings happen twice per year, in spring and again in the fall.
Upon completion of a training session, participants will read and sign the Ambassador Program Agreement to officially join the program.
To remain an active Ambassador, volunteers are expected to attend at least three (3) Ambassador field events each calendar year. Those who do not meet this requirement by the end of the year (Dec 1, 2026) will be made inactive. But are welcome to re-onboard in the spring, if they want to continue to contribute to the Ambassador Program.
Ready to become a billion Oyster Project Ambassador?
If you have attended five (5) public volunteer events with Billion Oyster Project, you are eligible to complete an Ambassador Interest Form.
For questions about eligibility or the Ambassador program in general, please reach out to Inca, our Public Volunteer Manager.
Why oysters?
Oyster reefs have the power to transform New York Harbor. They provide habitat for hundreds of species, filter water, and can help shield New York City shorelines from storm damage.
Did you know—the Big Apple was once the oyster capital of the world?