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Volunteering on Governors Island

A hands-on harbor-restoration afternoon on Governors Island — Tuesday to Thursday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
August 19, 2026
Free
Battery Maritime Building
16+
Battery Maritime Building
Venue address not yet available
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Free
sold out
sold out
sold out
sold out
THE EXPERIENCE

Volunteering on Governors Island

In-Person • Tuesday – Thursday • 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Join us for a hands-on volunteer day with the Billion Oyster Project! Help restore NYC's harbor by cleaning shell substrate, fabricating reef balls, or maintaining the shell pile. Shell cleaning involves washing, shaking, and loading shells that will later be seeded with juvenile oysters. Reef ball fabrication includes mixing eco-concrete and filling molds to create new reef structures. You may also assist with shell pile maintenance by clearing debris and organizing materials and equipment.

Every task is crucial to the project's success, and you'll be making a direct impact on the restoration of the harbor's oyster population while getting a little messy in the process!

What's included

  • All tools and safety gear (gloves, hearing and eye protection)
  • Sunscreen and bug spray
  • Hands-on restoration work: shell cleaning, reef ball fabrication, or shell pile maintenance
  • Ferry access to Governors Island

Schedule

Tuesday - Thursday Schedule

  • 12:15 PM - Arrive at Battery Maritime Building (10 South St. Slip 7) to board the ferry to Governors Island. There is no public announcement for boarding so just make your way to the ferry line, located past the double doors after security.
  • 12:30 PM - Board the ferry once security starts letting passengers on.
  • 1:00 PM - Once off the ferry at Soisson's Landing, meet at our Shell Pile located near Picnic Point on the Southeast side of Governors Island.
  • 3:45 PM - Done for the day! Make your way back to Soisson's Landing in order to make the 4:00 PM ferry. You are welcome to stay on the island and take a later ferry if you wish.
at a glance
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
Battery Maritime Building
Venue address not yet available
Free
REFUND POLICY
Full refund up to 48 hours before the event.

Questions?

Contact us at:
volunteer@billionoysterproject.org