Oyster Mat Building Social

July, 2014

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GeoView and ATI were thrilled to be a Gold Level sponsor of the Central Florida Association of Environmental Professionals Oyster Mat Building Social earlier this month! The CFAEP joined with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to make oyster shell mats, which are used as an artificial reef, as part of a conservation project. So, why are oysters so important? They belong to a very important marine life category known as filter-feeders. The filtering process produces cleaner, clearer waters which allow sunlight to reach underwater grasses, which are essential to maintaining water quality. Oyster reefs also aide in biodiversity- they provide habitats for hundreds of species of both fish and shellfish. So yes, oysters rock! Dale Rabinek from Geoview Orlando, and Albert Rodriguez of ATI, were able to attend and help create a few of these mats. Each one is made up of 36 oyster shells attached vertically with zip ties. These mats are being placed in various local waterways to help in reef restoration efforts. We are so excited we were able to be a part of such a great event, with such a great purpose!