FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The waters of the Intracoastal Waterway are about to get a little cleaner thanks to a growing grassroots conservation effort that is making a big environmental impact one oyster at a time.

Flagler County recently announced that three public boat docks will receive free Vertical Oyster Gardens (VOGs) through a partnership with local environmental advocates Chuck Gleichmann and Brian Hilgers of Oysters for My Neighborhood. The installations will take place at the Moody Boat Launch in Flagler Beach, Bings Landing in unincorporated Flagler County, and Herschel King Park in Palm Coast.

Vertical Oyster Gardens are suspended habitats created by stringing recycled oyster shells together and hanging them beneath docks. These structures attract juvenile oysters, known as spat, while also providing habitat for small fish, shrimp, and crabs.

“This is a really great project,” said Interim County Administrator Adam Mengel. “These gardens both clean the water and create habitat for other creatures — small crabs and shrimp.”

Gleichmann, who launched the local initiative after being inspired by a Florida Sportsman article, has worked alongside Hilgers and a growing network of volunteers to bring the project to life. Together, they have already built and installed 147 Vertical Oyster Gardens throughout the region.

A single mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water each day, helping remove pollutants and improve water clarity.

“A full-grown oyster can filter 50 gallons of water per day,” said Gleichmann. “A string of oyster shells creates a home for new oysters and also creates habitat for others.”

The exact number of gardens planned for the county docks will be determined following a survey by the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) of Florida. However, Gleichmann estimates that Herschel King Park alone could accommodate between 55 and 60 gardens.

“This is a big win for our conservation efforts and our community,” Mengel said. “Any time we partner with a group like Oysters for My Neighborhood that also expands their visibility and reach, it is a win any way you look at it.”

Learn More on Flagler in Focus

Residents interested in learning more about the project can hear directly from Gleichmann and Hilgers in the latest episode of Flagler in Focus, now launching Season 3.

In the episode, the duo shares how a simple idea has grown into a community movement focused on restoring local waterways. Listeners will discover how dock owners, businesses, and environmentally conscious residents can easily participate in creating cleaner water and healthier marine ecosystems.

The conversation explores the science behind Vertical Oyster Gardens, the volunteer effort that powers the initiative, and how small community actions can lead to significant environmental change.

To learn more or get involved, visit Oysters for My Neighborhood.

Listen to the full Flagler in Focus episode here:

Flagler in Focus Podcast Episode with Chuck Gleichmann and Brian Hilgers

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