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.
This year has been a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to protect the coast we call home!
Our mission has always been to bring the coast into the classroom. This year, we formalized partnerships with 6 local schools, providing monthly hands-on lessons to students. Whether it was bagging oyster shells with 3rd graders or learning about oysters as a keystone species of the salt marsh, we are partnering with that the next generation understands the vital role of an oyster and habitat restoration!
Our impact is amplified by a network of partners who bridge the gap between science, sustainability, and community.
The journey starts with our collaboration with the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, where we connect students to the beginning of the oyster’s life cycle, from the scientific spawning process to how farms acquire their "spat." We then bring those lessons to life at the Tybee Oyster Company farm, showcasing how sustainable aquaculture creates both economic and ecological value.
Our students truly go full circle through our work with Shell to Shore and We Recycle Shell. By bagging shells recycled from local restaurants and destined for restoration projects, students actively participate in returning resources to the coast.
None of this would be possible without our "home base" at the Savannah Boathouse Marina, which provides the essential dockage and facilities needed to host our students for safe, accessible water-based learning.
We believe that to impact students, it must be started with passionate, supported teachers. With 106 educators participating in our professional development sessions and speaking at conferences, ECO aims to foster an environment where educators can brainstorm ways to integrate marine science and nature-based solutions into their everyday curriculum.
We are thrilled to announce that we received two grants from the Birkley Heynen Environment Foundation. This funding will support a new partnership with 100 4th grade students from Virginia Heard Elementary School and the launch of an ECO internship program. This intern will support our mission by facilitating K-12 educational programs and community outreach while gaining direct experience with oyster husbandry at the Tybee Oyster Company farm. We also look forward to furthering our work with Island’s High School Animal Science class. A special thanks to Savannah Boathouse Marina, Bull River Cruises, Shell to Shore, We Recycle Shell, and many more! We are looking forward to another amazing year!
To our donors, volunteers, and educators: Thank you. You are the reason ECO is able to make a tangible difference on the Georgia coast.
Want to get involved in 2025? Follow our instagram, @ecogeorgia or donate to support our classroom programs!
