A Royal Recap: Prince William Visits Billion Oyster Project
/Last month, we had the great fortune of welcoming Prince William to our project and shining a light on our grassroots effort to inspire climate action. If you happened to miss the splash, the kicked off Climate Week by stopping by Billion Oyster Project before his meeting with the UN Secretary-General and hosting his own Earth Shot Summit. Surreal headlines aside, this visit wasn't just about a prince wading into the East River. It was about acknowledging the ongoing efforts of those working to solve our greatest challenge by starting small; making a rippling impact at the intersection of environmental conservation and community involvement.
For those who haven't been following our journey closely, Billion Oyster Project is an initiative that seeks to restore oyster reefs to New York’s waterways. Our mission isn't just about reintroducing oysters. It's about rejuvenating the harbor’s biodiversity, safeguarding the city against strengthening storms/severe weather, and connecting the community with their natural environment — New York Harbor.
As you might imagine, the anticipation leading up to the visit was next level. After two major delays, Covid-19 and the passing of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, team was buzzing with excitement that the day was finally here. Every detail had been considered from the size of the waders the Prince would require to which Governors Island “buggy” would escort him to Billion Oyster Project’s Shell Pile.
The day started with a launch from Liberty Landing. The Prince boarded our vessel, Virginia, not long after landing in Newark. We reached Governors Island for a quick tour of our Headquarters and the New York Harbor School’s hatchery to speak with students and team members, like Rebecca Resner , who described the lifecycle of an oyster and how Billion Oyster Project’s work engages students from spawning larvae to monitoring oyster reefs.
Moving to our Shell Pile, the Prince was greeted by crew members Charlotte Boesch and Josh Taliaferrow, who excitedly explained why we keep large middens of shell on the Island, how they’re collected from New York City restaurants like Crave Fishbar, and how volunteers help us prepare those shells to return to the Harbor as repurposed beds forested oyster reefs.
“It was an honor to discuss with the Prince the successes and challenges of our Shell Collection Program - just one example of the multi-faceted work my coworkers and I lead everyday.” says Charlotte Boesch, Billion Oyster Project’s Shell Collection Program Manager.
“During his time at the shell pile, the Prince was attentive and curious as we took him through the stages of our restoration process. He listened with genuine interest to the challenges we face in New York City, such as navigating combined sewer overflows, tackling permitting processes, and managing space limitations."
Back on the boats, and off to One°15 Brooklyn Marina – his last stop — The Prince waded into New York City waters for a first-hand look at our reefs. With Billion Oyster Project team members by his side, Prince William carryied oysters back to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 4 Beach, where he was greeted by Harbor Middle School students who showed him what they’ve learned at the water’s edge – their backyard and outdoor classroom.
“He was genuine, authentic, and present.” says Shinara Sunderlal, Billion Oyster Project’s Education Outreach Manager.
“He took the time to chat with our students, asked them about their interests and potential career paths, and listened to their answers with an earnest ear. He also explored oysters and other critters from the reef with the same enthusiam as our middle schoolers.”
The Prince’s visit was more than a photo-op; it was a chance for the world to delve deep into the intricacies of one project’s mission with rippling impacts - extending further than one city’s boundaries. His discussions later that day with the United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, reinforced our shared goals. Both Billion Oyster Project and the Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, aim to shine a light on scalable solutions to global environmental challenges.
As cities worldwide grapple with the adverse effects of climate change, initiatives like ours can serve as a blueprint. Solutions often lie in understanding and reviving local ecosystems, using education as a tool, and fostering a community of change-makers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Prince for placing projects like ours on the global map.
This year, a prince waded into the East River. Tomorrow, we hope more communities worldwide wade into their local challenges, equipped with passion and a vision for a sustainable future. Here's to many more such moments of recognition, hope, and collective action. Until we 'sea' you again, thank you, Prince William, for joining us on this journey.
Read about the visit in The New York Times, People Magazine, Vanity Fair, and more on our Press page.