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Volunteer with The Nature Conservancy

Oyster Conservationist Volunteer

Great Bay, New Hampshire

Amanda Moeser holds oyster cages on a dock with boats tied to it.
Oyster Conservation Join our Oyster Conservationist Program to help restore iconic oyster reefs! © Jennifer Emerling © 2017
Volunteer Overview

Join us in restoring oysters to the Great Bay estuary with New Hampshire's Oyster Conservationist Program. Together with University of New Hampshire, we are leading efforts to rebuild historic oyster reefs. Local residents like you have been actively participating in the Oyster Conservationist Program since 2006 and have raised nearly 300,000 oysters off their docks, moorings and boats for restoration.

What You Will Do

As an Oyster Conservationist, you'll be working from your dock, mooring or boat helping to raise baby oysters (called spat) in cages, checking on the health of the oysters, collecting data and more!

Get more details in the Qualifications tab (below).

Don't have water access? You can still participate! See the Community Oyster Gardens tab (below).

Enrollment and Timeline

This opportunity will run for ten weeks during the summer, with applications accepted until June. Sign up by reaching out to Taja Sims-Harper and telling us a little more about yourself and how you would like to participate.

Get more details in the Timeline tab (below).

During this program, you will:

  • Directly engage in oyster restoration efforts
  • Contribute to making a difference in your local estuary
  • Meet other like-minded people in our growing oyster community
  • Get motivated to be outside in nature/your backyard/water access
  • Experience a hands-on learning opportunity about the magnificent oyster!
  • Enjoy a family-friendly activity

How to Apply

To apply, please email Taja Sims-Harper, Coastal Conservation Seasonal.

Please reach out if you would like to learn more about the program. We value our volunteers and how they continually make a difference each year. The more oysters we can raise into healthy survivors, the faster we will "clean" Great Bay Estuary!

In person work
location
Great Bay, New Hampshire
date
DATE
Jul 17 - Sep 15, 2025
Multiple dates and varied times
time
TIME

This will be a 10 week program from mid-July to mid-September. More details on dates and time schedules will be provided to those who get enrolled.

contact
CONTACT
Taja Sims-Harper, Coastal Conservation Seasonal

Want to learn more about restoring oysters to Great Bay?

Check out more information about how we're restoring oysters and the role they play in securing the Great Bay water's ecosystem and health.