With the historic launch of Alabama’s first Oyster Shell Recycling Program, the timing was perfect for the 2017 Oyster Trailblazer Calendar to reiterate the importance of the oyster reef restoration in an educational calendar and color book for artists of all ages. 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. The Original Oyster House will donate 1,000 calendars on a first-come, first-serve basis to educators who can integrate information into their science program or to utilize them as rewards for environmental stewardship. The calendars will also be included in the Original Oyster House giving back program.
“Considering that 85% 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 and the Oyster Shell Recycling 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 as well as Gulf Coast Ducks, Battleship Alabama and the Original Oyster House coupons. 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 was the first restaurant to sign up for the Oyster Shell Recycling Program, which launched in October of 2016 and will begin in Gulf Shores at the end of January.
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 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/trailblazer.
www.originaloysterhouse.com/recycle
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The Original Oyster House will donate 1,000 calendars on a first-come, first-serve basis to educators who can integrate information into their science program.