CCA Florida and the Urban Farming Institute have partnered to use vertical oyster gardens (VOGs) along city docks and sea walls to study oyster growth and genetics along the New River. The goal is to gather valuable data that is translatable into larger scale oyster restoration work in Fort Lauderdale’s waterways. Oysters are known for their viability as one of the best filtering organisms and are natural to the city’s waterways. In an effort to restore some of the population that has subsided over the years, we hope to promote the re-population of these important creatures to help filter our waterways.

The City of Fort Lauderdale and CCA have entered into a facility use agreement to utilize the city’s property for hanging these vertical oyster gardens. Please do not disturb or remove oyster ropes. Oysters are not for consumption. Project is a small-scale study and will not impact growth on boat bottoms or other structures.