When Henry Hudson arrived in New York, half the world's oysters lived here.  350 square miles of oyster beds inhabited the surrounding waterways.  New York's early mercantile economy was founded on the oyster trade.  By the early 20th century, over-harvesting and raw sewage had fully decimated the oyster population.  The loss of oysters meant the loss of one of nature's finest filtration systems.  As a keystone species, many other forms of life depend on the oyster's health.  If oysters thrive, water quality thrives.  Good water quality allows sea grasses to grow.  Fields of sea grass provide a safe place for fishes to continue the circle of life.  

 

Efforts are now underway to reintroduce oyster habitats along the coast of New York City.  Dr. Paul Mankiewicz, Executive Director of The Gaia Institute, will discuss the role the oyster plays in the ecology of New York, the techniques being considered to improve and expand oyster habitats, why large oyster populations might help mitigate climate change, and how citizens of New York can help the efforts.  It is likely Mankiewicz will also explain how other initiatives of The Gaia Institute are tightly interwoven with oysters.