Join Us at Fortescue Beach for a Reef Build and Shell-A-Bration

Join the American Littoral Society for a volunteer opportunity and appreciation event all wrapped into one! Come to work, stay after to Shell-A-Brate!

With the help of volunteers, we will be installing a new oyster reef at Fortescue Beach in Downe Township, NJ on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2:30p.m. Once the work concludes at 2 p.m., we will provide food and refreshments. You can signup to lend a hand on our registration page.
​
Participants will also help us roll out something brand new for this restoration project: Reef Prisms. These triangles are designed to not only provide a solid base for the reef sections, but also help us move away from using plastic mesh bags to hold oyster shell.

These four-foot-long structures are built from jute fiber coated in concrete and filled with oyster shell. This unique composition creates an ideal, plastic-free surface for young oysters to settle and grow. They are stackable and can be filled with shell, making them a perfect foundation for reef sections.

When placed in the bay, these prisms slow down wave energy, which helps protect the beach habitat that is critical for horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds. Volunteers will be key to helping us place these reef prisms and shell bags onto the intertidal reef site.

---

The prisms also highlight our partnership with the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) - a Monmouth County magnet high school, located on Sandy Hook near Littoral Society headquarters!

​Under the guidance of Technology and Engineering Studies Teacher, Wendy Green, the junior class of 2025-2026 transformed their school workshop to construct these innovative reef structures. Students have been involved in every aspect of the project, from initial concept and design using detailed software to prototyping with 3D printers and fine-tuning the production process.

​Thanks to this partnership with MAST, the Littoral Society will incorporate over 50 reef prisms into the reef build at the Shell-a-bration on November 2! In addition to reducing the amount of plastic used to construct the reef, the cement in the prisms supplements the calcium carbonate in the shells - making them ideal for attracting oyster larvae and providing habitat for other marine species. ​

---

What to Bring and What to Expect
​If you plan to lend a hand, please dress to get dirty and wet and wear closed-toed shoes. We encourage all participants to pack like you’re spending the whole day on site: bring your own snacks, a change of clothes/extra layers, towel(s), gloves, bug spray, sunscreen, and a head cover. If you have waders or hip boots, please bring those, too!

Participants helping with the reef build should be able to lift up to 40 pounds. We will have other roles available for those who don't want to get wet but would still like to help.

Bathrooms will be available on site and water stations will be placed around the event. Parking will be toward the beach end of Thompsons Beach Road. Further event details, including on-site accommodations and postponement information, will be provided in a follow up email prior to the event.

The restoration work will conclude around 2 p.m., and that’s when the Shell-a-bration begins! We’ll celebrate your dedication with refreshments, including a fantastic spread provided by Spanky's BBQ.
Register Today!Your help is essential to protect and restore this piece of the Delaware Bay coast. Please RSVP if you plan to lend a hand so we can properly prepare for the event and the celebration. If you have questions, please contact Habitat Restoration Coordinator Julie Schumacher.

This event is rain or shine. If you arrive early, feel free to help with set-up. We can't wait to see you there!

---