NEFAR donation to support ‘Living Shoreline Oyster Bar’  

For Immediate Release 

NEFAR donation to support ‘Living Shoreline Oyster Bar’  

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 10, 2023 – The Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS® (NEFAR) Charitable Foundation joined with the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) in donating more than $27,000 to the University of North Florida Coastal and Marine Biology program to develop an experimental “Living Shoreline – Oyster Reef” project in the St. Johns River.  

NEFAR donated $17,568 to the project, which is designed to rebuild historic oyster populations, increase the habitat for oyster spat, reduce wave energy and shoreline erosion, improve water quality, and increase local opportunities for fishing. CCA’s donation was $10,000. 

“REALTORS are committed to the sustainability of our natural resources. Improved Water quality and protecting our waterways has been a NEFAR priority for many years,” said 2023 NEFAR President Diana Galavis. “NEFAR is honored to partner on the living shoreline and oyster reef.” 

The project is intended to rebuild historical populations of Eastern oysters by providing a suitable habitat for oyster spat to settle and grow. The re-establishment of oyster reefs is expected to have a positive influence on reducing wave energy and associated shoreline erosion, which will provide a greater protection to coastal properties. Reef building is also predicted to have a positive effect on water quality because of the pollution-filtering capabilities of oysters. It is also anticipated to have a beneficial effect on local shellfish and fish populations by providing increased habitat, which in turn can improve local opportunities for recreation, such as fishing. 

NEFAR’s funds were in part generated from sponsorship proceeds derived from its annual Waterway’s Clean-up Event that will take place this year from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Saturday, July 8. NEFAR’s annual Waterways Clean-up is part of Florida Realtors® month-long, state-wide Clean-up Florida Waters Initiative. It will be organized this year by the NEFAR Community Affairs Task Force under the direction of Margarita Diaz Cavanagh, Rae Laws, and Mark Feagle. 

Named the “NEFAR Oyster Bar,” the project will consist of the construction and field deployment of 18-24 cement-based substrates known as “POSH,” – pervious oyster shell habitat units – that are constructed of concrete and include small amounts of embedded oysters. NEFAR REALTORS® will assist with the construction of the POSH units later this year. 

The POSH units will be placed at sites where historic oyster beds once were found within UNF’s 1,050-acred property in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW 
), known as the William C. Webb Coastal Research Station. The Webb station is located on the eastern shore of the ICW, lying south of Beach Boulevard and extending just south of Butler Boulevard near Marsh Landing. This land was donated to UNF in 2017 as a field preserve so that UNF staff and students could conduct coastal research with an emphasis on projects that would have strong benefits to coastal residents. 

Following the POSH deployment, UNF students will monitor the site monthly to determine the rate of settlement of new oyster spat on the units. Monthly assessments of sediment dynamics in front and behind the POSH units will be examined to see their effect on erosion. Also examined will be monthly changes in water quality and invertebrate/fish abundance. The surveys will be conducted by UNF undergraduates who will work under the direction of a Graduate Student Research Assistant hired specifically to oversee the project. 

“NEFAR is involved in many advocacy efforts to ensure all aspects of the community are thriving,” Galavis said. “The installation of an oyster bar highlights our commitment to community and to our most valued asset, Northeast Florida’s waterways.” 

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The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR,) serves as the voice of real estate in Northeast Florida. It is the region’s largest professional association, representing more than 12,000 members who work in all facets of the real estate industry including residential and commercial sales and property management. It serves the public through support of community affairs programs and seeks to protect private property rights. The region’s multiple listing service, realMLS, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEFAR. NEFAR is headquartered in Jacksonville, with satellite Service Centers in Orange Park, Jacksonville Beach, and Palatka.  

PHOTO Caption: CAPTION: Joining together during a check presentation at UNF May 5 were Amanda Feagle, President of CCA Mark Feagle, CCA Director of Habitat and Environmental Restoration Frank Gidus, UNF Associate Professor of Biology Kelly Smith, NEFAR CEO William Glenn East, UNF Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jim Gelsleichler and 2023 NEFAR Past President Mark Rosener.