Join us for an evening with Damon Moore, the founder and Executive Director of Oyster River Ecology, Inc. Damon will present the fascinating history of oysters in our area, their decline, and provide a detailed look at the exciting future of large-scale oyster habitat restoration in the Manatee River and beyond. From historical references dating back to the 1700s (when the Manatee River was called the Oyster River) to current efforts to restore this important natural resource, this presentation will be informative and entertaining!

About Oyster River Ecology, Inc.

Serving Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, & Pinellas Counties on Florida's Gulf Coast, Oyster River Ecology’s mission is to restore ecosystems and preserve ecological functions while increasing the understanding of the natural systems on which we all rely. ORE is a results-focused 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to habitat restoration, stewardship, beautification, and understanding of the environment to benefit the quality of life for humans and wildlife alike, both now and for generations to come.

About Damon Moore

Damon Moore is a habitat restoration practitioner with 20 years of experience developing and implementing local habitat restoration projects. His career has included ten years working in private-sector consulting and ten years working for Manatee County Government within the Natural Resources Department. Damon played an instrumental role in local large-scale habitat restoration projects including the restoration of Perico Preserve and the Robinson Preserve Expansion Project, among many other habitat improvement projects across the region. He is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) through the Society for Ecological Restoration. Damon enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and daughter as well as fishing, hiking, uploading plant and insect observations in iNaturalist, and volunteering on habitat restoration projects.