20-05-2025
Chesapeake Bay Foundation washes away pollution with Hampton River restoration
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) planted the first oyster castles Tuesday at the Hampton River in efforts to build the largest living shoreline combined with oyster reefs.
The initiative, 'Roots to Reef', is designed to protect Hampton from climate change threats such as storms, erosion, and pollution.
'This Roots to Reef initiative at Pine Cone Harbour creates a natural buffer and filtration system at the water's edge. We're really connecting the dots here – the work we do on the land directly influences the health of the water, and vice versa' said Kati Grigsby, CBF's Hampton Roads Urban Restoration Coordinator.
The Hampton River spans 3.2 miles long and historically been a source for food, recreation, and national security but with the influx of residents over the years, the CBF believes the river faces polluted runoff from streets, parking lots, and buildings.
The river restoration will take a natural approach, as 5,584 oyster castles, 720 bushels of recycled oyster shells, 650 innovative Natrx Basalt Shell Bags and 22 coconut fiber coir logs will be placed near the Pine Cone Harbour Condominiums.
This is made possible in part due to the Blocker Foundation and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hampton.
'The end result is a more resilient and interconnected ecosystem along the urban Hampton River. Unlike hardened shoreline projects such as concrete sea walls, living shorelines are designed to evolve and migrate with rising sea levels,' said Grigsby.
For those interested in the project and are looking to volunteer visit the link .
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