Oyster Restoration Habitats
One Hockey Stick at a Time!
What is Rink2Reef® ?
Hockey sticks, typically made from non-recyclable materials, often end up in landfills when broken or discarded. At Rink2Reef®, we are committed to recycling these otherwise useless hockey sticks to create vital habitats for oysters and other filter-feeding aquatic organisms. These organisms play a crucial role in removing pollutants and excessive nutrients from creeks, rivers, and estuaries.
Our process involves measuring, cutting, and constructing the hockey sticks into stackable reefs, secured with thick monofilament fishing line. These structures provide an ideal surface for oyster larvae, known as spat, to attach and grow into mature oysters. When suspended in water, the reefs enable growing oysters to access food such as plankton, while effectively filtering nutrients and pollutants. A single adult oyster can filter an impressive 12-50 gallons of water per day, significantly contributing to cleaner waterways.
Rink2Reef® not only helps repurpose hockey sticks but also supports the environment by fostering healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Donate Your Stick To Rink2Reef®
Why Oysters Are Important
Oysters are a type of shellfish found in both saltwater and brackish estuaries. They are filter feeders, which means oysters strain the water around them feeding on plankton and other particles of food while removing pollutants. Oysters and oyster bars filter the water surrounding them to create a thriving ecosystem that allows for other marine life to flourish in a rich and diverse community.
With Rink2Reef™, oysters seek out and attach to the artificial hockey stick reefs during spawning seasons. Then the 9.17-cubic- foot hockey-stick units can become home to as many as 400 oysters and other subaquatic life. And when they begin filtering the surrounding water, they create a rich and diverse community of organisms. Oysters are nature’s perfect water filter, constantly cycling and improving water quality.
How it Works
Rink2Reef® recycles broken and unused ice hockey sticks to create habitats for oysters along with other filter-feeding aquatic organisms that remove pollutants and excessive nutrients from creeks, rivers and estuaries.
Collection boxes are placed in local areas including arenas, recreation centers and restaurant allowing donors easy access to discard sticks. Sticks are collected by volunteers and taken to their appropriate Rink2Reef® chapter.
Once enough sticks have been accumulated, they are are measured, cut and constructed into stackable style reefs held together by a thick monofilament fishing line. The structure allows a surface for oyster larvae, called spat, to attach and grow into mature oysters.
Reef are then purchased by participating home or dock owners and suspended in the water. With that, oyster larvae, called spat behind to adhere to the reefs during spawning seasons, typically early spring. They feed on passing organisms like plankton while filtering the surrounding waters. One single adult oyster can filter up to 12-50 gallons per day.
All proceeds from Rink2Reef® Reef sales support other ongoing oyster restoration programs.
Proceeds from Rink2Reef® go to support public fisheries oyster restoration programs.
Become A Part of the Effort
• Collect broken hockey sticks to be made into restoration reefs
• Participate in a reef construction day
• Host a reef from your dock
• Raise awareness about oyster restoration efforts
Sustainability Partners
Regional Sponsors
Rink2Reef™ is a component fund under The Foundation for Community Development, Inc. A registered 501(c)3 public charity.
For more information, please visit www.buildingstrongercommunities.org or call 443-496-3003.