The Port of San Diego and California Coastal Conservancy have received a $960,533 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant for their Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project installed next to the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve in San Diego Bay.
The $1.38 million pilot project, designed to help bolster the biodiversity and resiliency of a native oyster reef, could be installed in the coming months depending on the native oyster recruitment season, the port said. It was one of eight projects awarded grants this year. The Conservancy will fund the $419,467 not covered by the grant.
“We are honored to be among other great projects that received grant funding for wetlands restorations and enhancements throughout California,” said Port Commission Chairman Michael Zucchet. “We continue to move forward at a steady pace to be able to start the project and place the first nature-based solution of its kind in San Diego Bay. Living shoreline solutions like this have been gaining momentum throughout the state in recent years and we are eager to add one within our jurisdiction.”