Mounds of Oyster shells used as the foundation to build new oyster reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.  On January 22-23, 2011 volunteers will help place 23,000 bags of oysters along the shore of Mobile Bay, laying the foundation for a quarter-mile of new oyster reefs. photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy/Andrew Kornylak

Nearly 200 textured concrete structures called Reef Balls are being used in conjunction with bagged oyster shells to build the foundation for a quarter-mile of oyster reefs to grow along the shores of Mobile Bay. photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy/Andrew Kornylak
 

The 100-1000 Restore Coastal Alabama partnership has forged is partnering with Boat People SOS, ensuring that members of the local Vietnamese-American fishing community- many of whom have lost work due to the oil spill - are hired to help construct materials used to build oyster reefs. photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy/Andrew Kornylak
 

Within six months of laying materials for oyster reefs to grow in Mobile Bay, scientists are finding juvenile oysters attaching and growing on the reefs.  Known as the "ecological engineers" of the coastal bays and estuaries, oysters are vital to a healthy marine system. photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy/Andrew Kornylak

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