Board Member Devon Kelly

Orange County Coastkeeper is a non-profit clean water organization that serves to protect fresh and saltwater ecosystems. Kaysha Kenney is the Marine Restoration Director and is in charge of all their ongoing projects. One project is called “Living Shorelines.” This program aims to restore native oysters and eelgrass in the Back Bay and Alamitos Bay. Tidal shorelines face erosion so this program is centered on stabilizing sediment and provide a healthy ecosystem. Volunteers take the cleaned oyster shells and wrap them in coconut core bags and distribute the bags along the shoreline in the Back Bay. Over time the bags will biodegrade and provide the habitat for the Olympia Oysters to settle. The hope is that in 10 years there will be a healthy oyster and eelgrass population thereby increasing the amount of invertebrates as well as improved water quality.

Another program that Kaysha hopes to bring to Newport is the “Shell String Project”. This program invites participants to “oyster garden” by caring for baby Olympia Oysters. Shell Strings are habitats to grow native Olympia Oysters. Clean oyster shells are drilled and strung on a wire rope and hung off of docks at the beginning of the season, creating a home for the oyster larvae to settle on. It provides a fun project for families with the Coastkeeper providing the clean shells and guidance. At the end of the season Coastkeeper’s scientists count the offspring and place them into restored oyster beds. At this time Kaysha is waiting for permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before this program can start in Newport Bay. She hopes to get the proper permits in 2026. For more information Kaysha Kenney can be reached at ka****@*********er.org. 

We look forward to assisting Kaysha and Orange County Coastkeeper with their projects and efforts on creating a healthy harbor!

Devon Kelly