Working with key stakeholders

Over the last 100 years Broward County has converted the traditional tidal mangrove shorelines of SE Florida into over 300 miles of canal, creating one of the highest density of hardened bulk heads and sea walls canals in the world. 

Ft. Lauderdale reputation as ‘Venice of America’ has made it a major cruise liner destination, a center for the sports fishing industry, a global mega yacht service center hub, home to privately owned luxury waterfront properties and a sort after tourist destination.

Unfortunately, over development, storm water run off, nutrient pollution from central Florida and increased boating activity have combined in a toxic mix to put the waters of the cities canals under constant and growing stress. 

Today, without the natural cleansing systems provided by the oysters, grasses, and mangroves that form living shoreline; water quality has declined and the canals risk becoming dirty, dying, un-healthy and un-swimmable.

Preserving our city's reputation for healthy, pristine waters is vital 

Loose this reputation and the economic impact on the community, cities tax revenues, property values, tourism and boating could be catastrophic. 

Ft Lauderdale is a unique destination, we can’t go back and restore the historic mangroves of SE Florida, so what can we do?

All the cities major developers, hotels, cruise lines, marine companies, service companies, yacht brokers, real estate brokers, coastal engineers, etc. benefit and are major stakeholders in the City’s reputation as a destination with pristine waters and healthy canals. 

They all depend on Ft Lauderdale’s reputation for their livelihood.

We propose to actively look to these stakeholders for substantial financial, technical and promotional support.

A single oyster can filter a family swimming pool of water in a year, One million oysters would filter one millions swimming pools of water AND provide the habit needed to restore our fish and marine life.The natural oyster reefs that used to dominate our coastline represents one of nature’s most incredible tools, capturing and filtering nutrients and phosphates, providing habit for aquatic life, reducing harmful algal blooms, removing microplastics, heavy metals and a wide range of pollutants, building living shorelines that resist tidal surges and capturing, using and storing carbon.The Oyster Institute proposes to bring knowledge from around the world, to craft a unique mesh of vertical oysters reefs on the walls, under the docks and bridges of our community - this will be a global first.

Our simple goal - urgently restore the million of oysters able to provide a nature based solution that can clean and restore the canals of Ft Lauderdale, making them safe and attractive for the fish to swim again. 

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about The Oyster Institute please contact us. Our friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and staff are happy to assist you in any way we can to add oysters to your dock or wall