VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University Dual Enrollment students recently hosted an ocean conservation event at the Valdosta Mall.

Release:

Valdosta State University Dual Enrollment students from Lowndes High School and Houston County High School hosted an ocean conservation event Saturday at Valdosta Mall.  

Through this community service project, the students educated the community about the importance of ocean conservation efforts. They handed out painted oyster shells and information cards and raised awareness of how overharvesting, extensive land development, pollution, and more impact the natural environment and put keystone species like oysters at risk.  

Oyster bars are a critical structure to help mitigate shoreline erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitats for many sea creatures. Worldwide oyster populations are down more than 90 percent. VSU students, working under the direction of Dr. Tom Manning, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences, have developed materials and methods that have been shown to restore and enhance oyster populations along the southeastern coasts.