Jupiter nonprofit wants dock hosts for Inlet oyster gardens

By Jupiter Tide Staff

JUPITER — A local nonprofit is asking waterfront neighbors in Jupiter and Tequesta to lend their docks to a new oyster garden project.

Wildbluesea, a Jupiter-based 501(c)(3) founded in 2014, is rolling out its Jupiter Inlet Oyster Gardens initiative on the waterfronts of Jupiter and Tequesta, according to its projects page. In Phase 1, the group says it is assembling vertical gardens from recycled oyster shells donated by local businesses. In Phase 2, it plans to hang those gardens from docks so living oysters can settle, and to add educational displays and signage at business and public waterfronts.

Over time, Wildbluesea says the gardens are meant to become home to hundreds of oysters that help clean the Loxahatchee River and Indian River Lagoon. On its site, the nonprofit cites familiar oyster benefits — including that one oyster can filter up to about 50 gallons of water a day — along with help against algae blooms, habitat for fish and crabs, shoreline buffering, and support for seagrass. Those figures come from the organization; Jupiter Tide has not independently verified them.

The group is recruiting three kinds of help: volunteers to build and install gardens and educational displays, dock hosts who will hang a garden from a private dock, and business partners who can sponsor an installation or offer space for signage. Residents or businesses interested can email [email protected]. Wildbluesea also invites people to follow upcoming oyster-themed events on its programs and events page.

Wildbluesea’s site describes Phase 1 as planning and prep that kicked off in summer 2025. It does not list a public workshop date, shell-pickup schedule, or number of gardens already installed. Anyone who wants to host or volunteer should confirm details directly with the nonprofit.

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