SHADY SIDE, MD- On July 15 and 17, 2025, a dozen U.S. veterans and active-duty servicemembers partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) to advance Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration, a critical effort to revive the estuary’s ecosystem. The initiative, part of a fishing excursion organized by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Armed Forces Initiative (AFI), combined conservation work with therapeutic outdoor experiences for military members navigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
AFI’s Mission in Conservation
The BHA Armed Forces Initiative brought veterans and servicemembers from across the nation to the Chesapeake Bay for a multi-day trip focused on fishing, crabbing, and Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration. The AFI program supports military members by fostering healing through conservation and outdoor recreation. Participants processed 2.5 million recycled oyster shells in Maryland and assembled 115 bags of shells in Virginia, contributing to the creation of oyster reefs and living shorelines.
“Watching 2.5 million oyster shells turn from restaurant waste into living reef reminds every service member why service still matters,” said Garrett Robinson, Corporate Partnerships Manager and AFI Board member for BHA. “Sweat, saltwater, and a shared mission strip away the noise of transition and let real healing begin — proving that when we restore the Bay, it restores us right back.”
Oyster Restoration’s Impact
Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration is a cornerstone of the estuary’s ecological recovery. Oysters filter water and provide habitat for species like striped bass and red drum, supporting both ecosystems and anglers. The Chesapeake Bay Program aims to restore oyster reefs in 11 tributaries by the end of 2025, a goal bolstered by efforts like those of AFI volunteers. Since 2005, oyster populations have tripled due to collaborative restoration work, making it one of the nation’s most successful conservation stories.
On July 15, at CBF’s Maryland Oyster Restoration Center in Shady Side, volunteers processed 2.5 million recycled shells from nearly 100 restaurants participating in CBF’s shell recycling program. On July 17, at CBF’s Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, they prepared 115 bags of shells for reef and shoreline projects. Funding from SITKA Gear’s Ecosystem Grant Program supported the initiative.
“CBF is honored to partner with volunteers who have dedicated so much to this country and continue to give back beyond their years of military service,” said Kellie Fiala, CBF’s Maryland oyster restoration coordinator. “Oyster restoration would not be one of the Bay’s greatest success stories without dedicated volunteers like them.”
Challenges and Future Needs
Despite progress, Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration faces challenges. Federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), critical to these efforts, are at risk of defunding. CBF and BHA urge Congress to maintain bipartisan support for agencies that protect oysters, fish, and the Bay’s health. The Chesapeake Bay Program’s ongoing work to update restoration goals will shape the future of these efforts.
“People who love fishing in the Chesapeake Bay also love oysters,” said Jackie Shannon, CBF’s Virginia oyster restoration manager. “The oyster reefs we’re building and expanding offer critical habitat for the fish anglers most enjoy.”
The Role of Volunteers
Volunteers are vital to Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration. AFI participants, including veterans like Greg Singleton and active-duty members like Maj. Ken Huxtable, USMC, filled cages with shells to support 2 million juvenile oysters, or spat, for sanctuary reefs. Their work ensures the Bay remains a thriving ecosystem for future generations.
The partnership between CBF and BHA’s AFI highlights the dual benefits of conservation: restoring the Chesapeake Bay while offering veterans and servicemembers a renewed sense of purpose. As Robinson noted, this work is “a mission bigger than ourselves, bringing peace and solace to lives once filled with chaos.”