On September 13, 2025, at 10 a.m., Southern Maryland residents will gather at Abell’s Wharf in Leonardtown to participate in a community-driven effort to plant one million baby oysters in the Breton Bay Oyster Sanctuary. Organized by the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association and Friends of St. Clement’s Bay, the event invites families and volunteers to contribute to the restoration of a vital Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. In case of rain, the event will shift to September 14 at 10 a.m.
Breton Bay, a tributary of the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County, is a designated oyster sanctuary where harvesting is restricted to protect the declining oyster population. Oysters are a keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay, filtering water to improve clarity and building reefs that provide habitat for striped bass, blue crabs, and other marine life. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, significantly enhancing water quality. However, overharvesting, disease, and poor water quality have reduced oyster populations, prompting community action to restore sanctuaries like Breton Bay.
The September 13 event marks a milestone in a multi-year effort led by local watershed groups. Since 2017, the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association, in partnership with Friends of St. Clement’s Bay, Bell Marine Services, Shore Thing Shellfish, LLC, EcoBAY Landscape & Design, and the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization, has planted over four million oysters in Breton Bay. Volunteers will unload approximately 500 bags of baby oysters attached to oyster shells from trailers, load them onto work vessels, and transport them to a restoration reef site off Lover’s Point. This hands-on work aims to create a self-sustaining reef that supports aquatic life and encourages future state and federal investment.
Breton Bay’s restoration journey has faced challenges. In 2018, the state revoked plans for major oyster restoration in the bay due to low oyster populations, poor water quality, and limited annual reproduction, as noted in reports from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Without significant government funding, local organizations have taken the lead. “We’re stepping up to fill the gap and show that community effort can make a difference,” said Emma Ewing of the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association. Volunteers are critical to this process, as their work helps demonstrate the bay’s potential for recovery, potentially attracting renewed support from state and federal partners.
The event is open to all, with life jackets provided for safety. Families are encouraged to join, making it an educational opportunity for children to learn about the Chesapeake Bay’s ecology. Registration is required through a form at https://forms.gle/ekapGy2Nhwu54saX6 or by contacting Emma Ewing at emmaSMRWA@gmail.com. The process is straightforward: volunteers will handle bags of spat-on-shell—baby oysters attached to recycled shells—and assist in transferring them to boats for placement in the sanctuary. No prior experience is needed, and the event fosters a sense of community pride in preserving Southern Maryland’s natural resources.
Breton Bay’s restoration aligns with broader Chesapeake Bay conservation goals. The Chesapeake Bay Program, a regional partnership, aims to restore oyster populations in 10 tributaries by 2025, with Breton Bay serving as a local example of community-driven progress. The reefs built through these efforts not only support marine biodiversity but also protect shorelines from erosion and improve water quality for recreational activities like fishing and kayaking, which are popular in St. Mary’s County.
For Southern Maryland residents, the event offers a chance to directly impact their local environment. Abell’s Wharf, located near the heart of Leonardtown, is a familiar spot for many, and the short boat trip to Lover’s Point makes the event accessible. The collaborative spirit among local organizations underscores the region’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Since 2017, the steady addition of oysters has shown measurable progress, with monitoring efforts indicating improved reef growth, though long-term success depends on continued community involvement.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of oysters’ role in the ecosystem and the satisfaction of contributing to a cleaner, healthier Breton Bay. The event’s organizers hope to inspire ongoing engagement, encouraging volunteers to advocate for policies that support oyster restoration and water quality improvements. With no state or federal funding currently allocated, every bag of oysters planted is a step toward a sustainable future for Breton Bay.
