Events

The increasing popularity of backyard oyster roasts and by-the-bushel retail sales of oysters has contributed to a shortage of shells returned to our estuaries to provide a suitable surface to attract juvenile oysters. More often than not, the shells end up in driveways and landfills.

During the summer months, oysters spawn and release free-swimming larvae, called spat, into the water column. The spat are carried by tide and current and after spending about two weeks moving in the water column, seek a suitable surface upon which to attach and begin building their shells of calcium carbonate. Unless disturbed, they will spend the remainder of their life cycle where they have attached. Centuries of oyster cultivation experience have proven oyster shell to be one of most desirable materials (called cultch) for attachment and subsequent growth of young oysters.

 Adult oysters filter and purify up to 2.5 gallons of water per hour or up to 50 gallons per day. Oysters build reefs which provide habitat for fish, shrimp, crabs, and other animals. They are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. There are nearly 120 different species that frequent oyster reefs, including; Red Drum, Blue Crabs, Flounder, and Shrimp.

Volunteers are needed to help place bags of recycled oyster shells on a new reef being constructed at the Alljoy Boat Landing located at 265 Alljoy Road, Bluffton.

Bill Epps to introduce

Community Center reserved

Roy Austin

Michelle McElroy

Assistant Fine Arts Director

Lauren L

Chris Forster is the Assistant Town Manager.

He graduated with a bachelor’s in economics and political science and a Master of Public Administration with a Graduate Certificate in Government Financial Management from the University of Connecticut. 

Prior to joining the Town of Bluffton, Chris worked on government consolidation and shared services efforts for the State of Oklahoma and, most recently, as the Controller for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.

Chris is a Certified Public Finance Officer and Certified Government Financial Manager. 

 Russell Baxley joined Beaufort Memorial Hospital as President & Chief Executive Officer on September 12, 2016. Prior to that, he was CEO for Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lancaster, Pa., a 213-bed hospital that includes an inpatient psychiatric hospital; cancer, heart and orthopedic programs; multiple surgical specialties; an employed physician group with more than 100 providers; and a telemedicine program, among other services.

Since Joining Beaufort Memorial, Mr. Baxley has led many initiatives to expand access to and improve the quality of care provided to the community. Under his leadership, Beaufort Memorial has constructed two state of the art cancer centers, a 70,000 square-foot medical office facility in Okatie, S. C., opened three urgent care clinics to serve Beaufort County, developed the BMH Care Anywhere telehealth app offering access to 24/7 video visits for urgent care, and reopened a beautifully renovated birthing center. Services have grown to include advanced orthopedics and spine care, robotic-assisted joint replacements, elective (non-emergent) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), and enhanced mental health services with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). His collaborative community outreach has resulted in partnerships with Publix to include telehealth kiosks in four of their Beaufort County grocery stores, Amedisys Home Health to provide in-home care, and local educational institutions to develop and provide on-site clinical education and workforce development. Mr. Baxley has also helped to recruit more than 40 primary care and specialty physicians and advanced practice providers to the area.