Looking back on ECO’s first full year as a non-profit organization, there is so much to be grateful for. As oyster aquaculture continues to revive in Georgia, we have been met with overwhelming support and backing from our community. Georgia’s 100 miles of coastline is an abundant resource that needs to be preserved and protected for future generations, a mission we believe is best achieved by investing in our students, the upcoming generation of leaders. By partnering with local organizations, schools, and community members, ECO aims to deepen our collective sense of place and inspire action to protect our coastal ecosystems.

ECO hosted their second annual Georgia Oyster Revival on November 9th and doubled our revenue from the previous year, increasing our school partnerships! This would not have been possible without the support of our amazing community members who make this event successful! This sunny day was filled with over 6,000 oysters consumed, 300 excited participants, 18 chef’s, 8 beverage partners, and 5 Georgia growers! The Georgia Oyster Revival provides a majority of the funding for ECO’s yearly programming costs and allows us to partner with local educators in schools to bring meaningful, hands-on coastal education into the classroom, and take the students out to our beautiful coastline! 

ECO gets out there into the community in so many ways to showcase the important role of aquaculture and enhances public understanding of the role that aquaculture can play in sustainable seafood practices.

If you’re a teacher interested in introducing topics like oyster farming and coastal ecosystems to your students, my advice is simple: Immerse yourself in learning more about the subject. The more enthusiastic and informed you are about the topic, the more engaged your students will be.

ECO Georgia has experienced a transformative year, marked by significant achievements in advocating for sustainable oyster farming, community engagement, and coastal ecosystem preservation. As the organization reflects on its milestones, it also looks forward to expanding its impact in 2025.