Billion Oyster Project is a New York City-based nonprofit organization on a mission to restore 1 billion oysters to NYC’s Harbor by 2035 through restoration and education initiatives. Oysters provide a number of beneficial effects for the ecosystem including filtering water via filter feeding, increasing habitat for other animals, and protecting shorelines from storm surges.

Learn about the state of the harbor from Billion Oyster Project staff, and how you can get involved in restoration efforts in your area.

Zeke King Phillips grew up in (mostly) land-locked Pennsylvania, but always dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. He studied geosciences in college, focusing on paleontology, and is currently working on a graduate degree in geosciences, ecology, and climate science. He’s also interested in science-focused public outreach, community engagement and is super excited to be involved with community science.