If you are looking for a unique holiday gift that will make a lasting impression on the environment plus provide over $75 in free monthly offers from the Original Oyster House restaurants, Battleship Alabama and Geez Louise, check out the Oyster Trailblazer Calendar. The Oyster Trailblazer Calendar is a 101 on precious bivalves, sharing their abundant benefits that include cleaning our waters, protecting our shorelines from erosion and feeding us with some of the tastiest and most sought after cuisine while providing huge nutritional benefits. Proceeds from the sales of the calendars benefit oyster gardening, restoration and environmental education.
“Considering that 80% of the world’s oyster reefs have been lost and that the northern Gulf of Mexico is one of the last places on earth where restoration efforts like the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program can be successful, we as a community must protect our oyster reef for generations to come,” stated P.J. Waters, scientist and coordinator of the Oyster Trail. “Inspiring more oyster trailblazers is really what we hope the calendar can accomplish. We want kids especially to recognize the valuable treasures oysters bring to our ecosystem and through science, collaboration and gardening, how we can help restore the reef in our Gulf waters.”
The oyster calendar, illustrated by local artist Alex VanArsdale, captures regional landscape, culture and folklore. The calendar also includes the Oyster Trail sculptures scattered along the Gulf Coast. Each 4’ fiberglass oyster is embellished by artists and tells important facts about oysters including their economic and environmental contributions.
After two successful sponsorships of Oyster Trail Sculptures, the Original Oyster House recognized the valuable work of Waters and Marie Dyson who both coordinate the Oyster Trail and the Mobile Oyster Gardening Program. The company wanted to do its part in helping educate the community about oyster reef restoration and oysters in general. The calendar also supports local schools in raising classroom funds for education (e.g. field trips, equipment, science & art supplies, etc.). Waters, Dyson and volunteers Sr. Marilyn Graf, RSM and Flora Chamberlain are working closely with schools in support of education, environmental stewardship and giving back.
The Original Oyster House (OOH) has two locations, Mobile: 3733 Battleship Parkway, on the Causeway and Gulf Shores: 701 Hwy 59 on the Original Oyster House Boardwalk. Both locations offer spectacular waterfront views and have been celebrated as the area’s finest family restaurants for the past 30+ years. The Original Oyster House is managed by Superb Foods, a management company of Geez Louise Boutique, OOH Trading Company and Joe & Dave Sauces and Seasonings.
The Mobile Gardening Program is a volunteer-based project which focuses on education, restoration/enhancement, and research by bringing the reef to the people. Now in its eleventh year of operation, Oyster Gardeners have produced nearly 500,000 oysters for restoration and enhancement efforts within Mobile Bay. For more information on the Oyster Trailblazer Calendar please call 251-490-5878 or visit www.originaloysterhouse.com/oystertrailblazer.
Participating Area Schools
Fairhope High School | Contact: Stephanie Wainwright | sjwainwright@bcbe.org;
Little Flower Catholic School, Mobile| Contact: Clara Bunk | cbrunk@mobilearchdiocese.org;
McGill-Toolen High School, Mobile | Contact: Kristen Patterson | patterk@mcgill-toolen.org
Robertsdale High School | Contact: Allen Blackwell | ablackwell@bcbe.org;
Spanish Fort Elementary | Diane Casey | auburnnd@bellsouth.net;
St. Mary’s Catholic School, Mobile | Debbie Ollis | dollis@mobilearchdiocese.org;
USA Biology Student Assoc. | Hillary Swain | hls1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu;
Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education | Contact Pam Jones | pamjones7757@hotmail.com
St. Ignatius Catholic School of Mobile | mfoneill@bcbe.org
Corpus Christi Catholic of Mobile | jmcmullen@mobilearchdiocese.org