December
The holidays are here, but CBA never stops our education, restoration, monitoring, and research initiatives!
Grasses in Classes
With the first school semester nearly complete, CBA staff have planted over 10,000 smooth cordgrasses with students from across Okaloosa and Walton County. Schools will split their own nursery stock on-site, with planting field trips along the Choctawhatchee Bay scheduled in May of 2018. Up next? Dunes in Schools sea oat plantings with 7th and 8th graders!

For more on Grasses in Classes, see our November article in the Coastal Angler (pgs. 28-29).
Alaqua Bayou Reef Nears Completion
After months of work and critical help from South Walton High School, Seacoast Collegiate High School, AmeriCorps, the NWFSC Baseball Team, and so many more dedicated volunteers, CBA is nearing completion of a 1,700 linear foot oyster reef in Alaqua Bayou. Once finished, it will be our largest reef to date.
Welcome Chad!
CBA is thrilled to welcome our newest Ecology Technician, Chad Perko!

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Chad joined the CBA team in November. He is looking forward to "finishing up the oyster reef restoration in Alaqua Bayou and seeing the benefits of all the projects that we're doing."
Three New Restaurants Join Oyster Recycling Program
Shunk Gulley, Half Shell Oyster House, and AJ's Grayton Beach have all recently joined CBA's oyster shell recycling program! Every week, these restaurants will set aside recycled oyster shell for CBA staff to collect and turn into brand new oyster reefs.

Volunteer Opportunities