Learn more about Oyster Boys Conservation

We work closely with 4 local Sarasota-area restaurants that separate the oyster shells from the rest of their food waste, and store them for us until we pick them up from the location. 

We typically collect shells on a weekly basis, bringing in hundreds and hundreds of new shells that we can clean up, drill, and string onto a VOG. 

Restaurants currently include: Captain Eddie's, Dockside Waterfront Grill, Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, and Walt's Fish Market.

Our mission is to improve local water quality through the use of nature-based solutions, while educating and engaging the community in coastal conservation initiatives.

 There are many ways that you can contribute to OBC, including:

• Donating money: One of the most common ways to help a nonprofit is to make a financial donation. This can help us fund our programs and activities and can make a big difference in our ability to make a positive impact.
• Volunteering: OBC relies heavily on volunteers to help with a wide range of tasks, such as organizing and managing events, conducting research, or providing support by drilling and stringing vertical oyster gardens. Volunteering can be a great way to give back and make a meaningful contribution!
• Spreading the word: Another way to help OBC is to share information about our work and mission with others. This can include sharing posts on social media, telling friends and family about our organization, or speaking about it at community events. By raising awareness, you can help us reach more people and potentially attract more support.
• Providing in-kind donations: In-kind donations are non-monetary donations that can be used to help us complete projects, such as goods or services. This can include items like shells or drilling materials, boats, or professional services such as legal or accounting advice. In-kind donations can help OBC save money and can also provide valuable resources that it can use to achieve its goals.

Ultimately, there are many ways to help us out, and the best way to do so will depend on your interests, skills, and availability. By supporting Oyster Boys Conservation, you can make a positive difference in Florida and contribute to a cause that you care about.

Clean up these Florida waters! OBC was started by brothers and native Floridians that have always been drawn to the ocean and other local waterways. The first red flag for us was seeing that 1,101 manatees were reported dead in 2021, more than any other year in history. 

This single red flag led us to much larger issues surrounding water quality, which then led us to oysters as a solution, which led us right to the vertical oyster garden. 

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Oysters are considered to be one of the best natural filters of saltwater. This is because they are able to filter large volumes of water in a short amount of time and can remove a wide range of impurities, including bacteria, algae, sediment, and excess nutrients. Oysters filter water by drawing it in through their gills and extracting tiny organic particles and oxygen from the water. They also filter out excess salt and other impurities, which they then expel through their gills or pores. This process helps to keep the oysters healthy and is an important part of their ability to thrive in saltwater environments. Additionally, oysters are able to reproduce quickly and can form large colonies, making them an effective and sustainable solution for water filtration. 

Dominic Marino: President & CEO

Vince Marino: Field Operations Co-Director

Matt DeMasi: Treasurer & CFO

Skyler Windmiller: Secretary & Marketing Director

Sam Jeffcoat: Field Operations Co-Director

Local early education and grade school facilities can contact info@oysterboys.org with any questions about how to organize an educational workshop. 

At the collegiate level, OBC has recently branched out and started sponsoring University Chapter Programs at University of Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University. 

We help students with both field work, and administrative elements to running a conservation nonprofit. We hope to soon provide a wide variety of internship programs and educational curriculum that help eager students start giving back to their communities as quickly as possible.