Since the completion of Living Breakwaters last year (administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal), the eight rocky structures have started to “come to life” with fish, crabs, and even oysters!

This fall, Billion Oyster Project, SCAPE, and Kayak Staten Island ventured out on kayaks to observe if oysters are naturally recruiting to the breakwaters. On the four structures they surveyed, the team observed literally hundreds of live, thriving oysters.

In this week’s New Yorker, Ben McGrath writes about the team’s efforts: “Whales and dolphins have begun returning to New York Harbor; why not oysters, which, in these parts, once numbered in the billions?”

Back in 2021, writer Eric Klinenberg profiled SCAPE Founder Kate Orff and Living Breakwaters in The New Yorker: “When it’s completed, which is expected to happen in 2024, it will be Orff’s largest attempt to mend the landscape. In fact, it will be among the most extensive nature-based infrastructure systems in urban America.” We are proud that this project exemplifies nature-based infrastructure and engaged stewardship.

Stay tuned for monitoring updates!