This is an update about the reef planting project scheduled for Saturday, July 6, 2019 to which you are invited--please come help!
When: Meet at 7:00 am at the address below (off Hickory Fork Road). Registration closes for late arrivals at 8:30 am. Work will begin by 7:30 am or earlier.
How Long?: Low tide is at 7:30 am when the water depth on the reef will be 2 feet. At 10:30 am, the depth will be 3 1/2 feet which is getting too deep to continue. We hope that clean-up and dismissal will be finished by 11:00 am at the latest. You can stay for all or part of the time.
Where: 3659 Shelly Lane, Hayes, VA 23072.
Directions:
1) Turn onto Hickory Fork off 17 by the WaWa
2) Turn left onto Cedar Bush Road
3) bear right at the fork in the road--intersection with Providence Road (stay on main road)
4) Turn right onto Shelly Lane (at white house bear right--follow the main road)
5) Go to end of the straight section of road after the hard left and "Dead End" sign
6) Go straight off pavement onto gravel driveway (brick house visible at end to left)
7) At white fence bear left.
8) Park on grass where directed by parking staff/signage
Cost: Registration is $20 per person, $50/family. Each registrant gets an OF T-shirt and 1-2+ blocks to plant on reef.
Details:
1. No children under 4 years unless being carried in a backpack or similar carrier.
2. Children must be under parental supervision and control at all times (children can drown in 2 ft water!). Ideally, bring life jacket/flotation for younger children (4-10 yo) to wear.
3. Wear closed toe shoes or boots, preferably that won't come off in underwater mud (to prevent deep cuts to feet)
4. Cover up/use sunblock, broad hat, sunglasses
5. Water will be provided but feel free to bring your own.
6. Bring work gloves to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes on concrete blocks, barnacles, etc.
7. Plan on riding home soaking wet from waist down.
8. Soft mud at reef site will have some stepping stones to help while carrying the block to the reef from the shoreline.
9. Be sure to follow instructions from the OF staff members in charge.
Come have a great time and the satisfaction of knowing that you have "sweat equity" in building an oyster reef that should be self-sustaining for ages to come!