Oyster Shell Recycling & Reef Building Initiative

A key part of our local ecosystem, our community based oyster shell recycling program creates new reefs out of locally recycled shell, ensuring a healthy salt marsh ecosystem for the future. 

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About the Program

Did you know that 85% of the world’s oyster reefs have been lost to overharvesting, pollution, and development—making them the most threatened marine habitat on Earth? Oyster reefs provide critical nursery habitat for fish, shrimp, and crab, and their shells are essential for new oysters to grow.

We partner with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to restore reefs, locally recycling almost 200 tons of oyster shells over the past seven years to build 34 new reefs along the shorelines of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. In 2025 alone, we added seven new reefs in the Skull Creek, Broad Creek, May River, and on both sides of the Calibogue Sound.

These “living shorelines” not only support marine life but also filter water and protect shorelines from erosion caused by storms, boat wake, and rising seas.

Perhaps the most important reef restoration project has been the series of reefs and 9,000 Spartina plants added along the vulnerable shoreline of the 18th fairway of the Harbour Town Golf Links. We are proud to partner with Sea Pines Resort for this effort.

  • “Living shorelines” make use of natural infrastructure, recycled shells and plants such as Spartina grass, to stabilize shorelines, prevent erosion, and enhance coastal habitats.

Group of people on a muddy riverbank with grass, trees, and fallen branches in the background on a sunny day.
Large pile of rubble or shells, with partially constructed wooden panels behind it, in a wooded outdoor setting.
People collecting shells or marine life along a rocky shoreline near a small harbor with boats, lighthouse, and residential buildings in the background on a partly cloudy day.
Group of people outdoors, some with gloves and boots, standing on a muddy and shell-covered shoreline with green marsh grass and trees in the background under cloudy skies.
People gathered outdoors near a large pile of seashells, some helping to move them while others watch, with trees and parked cars in the background.
Group of people in outdoor clothing and hats standing on muddy area near a row of planted oysters, with trees and a house in the background.
A muddy shoreline with small pools of water and young green grass emerging, a string of rocks, and a large body of water with a distant tree line in the background at sunset.
A pile of crushed shells or stones in front of a wooden fence, with another larger pile of similar material to the right, surrounded by green trees and bushes in the background.
Cages filled with oyster shells on a boat dock near a shoreline with trees and houses in the background.
Beach shoreline with muddy area, some grass, and a line of trees in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
People walking on a rocky and sandy shoreline near a grassy area, with residential buildings and trees in the background under a blue sky.
Close-up of a pile of oyster shells with mesh netting, blurred background with sky and trees.
A large outdoor recycling bin filled with oyster shells, labeled for oyster shell recycling by The Outside Foundation, with a sign indicating it is for recycling oyster shells.
Sign indicating the shellfish harvesting is closed to create oyster reefs for habitat, erosion control, food, and clean water. In front, there are shells and colorful plastic sea creatures.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

  • Seal of the University of South Carolina with a sailing ship at the center, surrounded by the words "University of South Carolina" and the Latin motto "Straure et Prosperare 1663 1983."
  • The Sea Pines Resort logo featuring a lighthouse with red and white stripes.
  • Logo of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry featuring a stylized bird and flame within an orange circle, with the foundation's name written below.
  • Seal of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources featuring a deer, boat, fish, and tree.
  • Logo of ATTI, Advanced Technology International, featuring purple stylized letters and a gray molecular structure on a white background.
  • Blue cardboard box with white text that says 'The Bargain Box', a red heart, and additional blue and white text indicating 'Est. 1965'.
  • Logo of Berkeley Hall Charitable Foundation with a red shield featuring white crosses and a chevron, above the foundation's name in black text.
  • Cartoon gray mouse holding a red and white striped shopping bag, with a red bow on its tail, and standing on its hind legs.
  • Logo for Coastal States Wealth Management by Raymond James, featuring a compass and the company name in blue and black text.
  • Logo of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, featuring a stylized bird and flame.
  • Logo of Dominion Energy, featuring a stylized blue globe with white lines and black text reading 'Dominion Energy'.
  • A heart-shaped red outline surrounds the word "FOCI" with the letter "O" replaced by a white flower with green leaves inside a black circle.
  • Black and white logo of the GINN Foundation with a graphic of three people behind a pin marker.
  • Sparkle brand logo with purple slash and gray text.
  • Heritage Classic Foundation logo featuring a historical figure in colonial attire holding a walking stick.
  • Logo of Holy Family Catholic Parish, established in 1966, featuring a stylized illustration of two hands holding a circular emblem.
  • Red coral illustration above the text 'Long Cove Club Community Endowment Fund' written in script and bold fonts.
  • Logo of Palmetto Electric Cooperative Inc., featuring a yellow lightning bolt on a blue background with the text 'PALMETTO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC.' and a tagline 'Your Touchstone Energy Partner' along with colorful figures holding hands.
  • Seal of the Panama City Beaches, featuring a beach scene with a dolphin, a starfish, a seashell, a person holding hands with two others near the water, palm trees, and a sunset or sunrise over the ocean.
  • Sparklyte logo with a purple slash and gray text
  • Logo for Spartiina 449, a brand associated with Daufuskie Island, featuring a stylized woman with flowing hair, standing on a globe.
  • TD Bank logo with a green square containing white letters 'TD' and the word 'Bank' in black text.
  • Logo featuring a red and white striped lighthouse with a red roof, encircled by a thin black line, with text 'The Sea Pines Resort' in black below.