Welcome to TOGA
The Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA) is a non-profit organization established in 1997 to promote the environmental health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries through oyster cultivation and by other means, and as a way of enjoying Virginia oysters. Oysters, being filter feeders, remove bacteria and sediments, making the local environment cleaner habitats for marine life. The improved water quality encourages seagrass growth, which creates better habitats for fish. Our main goal is to educate interested citizens of all ages in oyster aquaculture methods. Join TOGA today, and learn how you can grow oysters and/or help the Chesapeake Bay.
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TOGA News
Upcoming TOGA Events
APRIL
April: Pre-Order Oyster Floats Made by TOGA (Must be a TOGA Member, so Join Today!), Floats will be ready for pick up on May 23rd at our Annual TOGA Oyster Float an Spat Sale, at Deltaville Maritime Museum. Want to build your own cages?
CANCELLED April (last 2 Thursdays) 9am–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Spring Float Sale. Watch your email in MAY to help build at Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock
Contact: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
First-time volunteers, please email Jim before attending this event
4/25 Saturday, 8:30am–1pm: TOGA Exhibit Heathsville Farmers Market, Northumberland Court House, 73 Monument Pl, Heathsville, Contact Doug Schaefer dougs@togaboard.org
4/29 - 5/1 Wed, Th, and Fri, 9am-1pm: Hampton City Schools Oyster Planting and Environmental Stewardship Field Trips, Contact Vic Spain vicspain@rocketmail.com or Betsy McAllister bmcallister@hampton.k12.va.us
4/30 Thursday, 6-7pm: TOGA Members are invited to VIMS Sunset & Science Reception (before VIMS After Hours Lecture: "Breeding the Best Oysters" with Jessica Small). Watermen's Hall, 1375 Greate Rd, Gloucester Point, Coordinators: Crystal Booker cbbooker@vims.edu, Vic Spain vicspain@rocketmail.com
MAY
Select Thursdays, 9am–noon: TOGA Volunteer Float Build Days for Spring Float SaleJoin us to help build at Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock
Contact: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org. First-time volunteers, please email Jim before attending this event
5/9 Sat, 9am-noon: TOGA Members Build-Your-Own Float Workshop: Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd, Kilmarnock. MUST preorder by April 30. Contact: Jim Dall jimd@togaboard.org
5/11 Mon, 7-7:30pm: TOGA Oyster Gardening Presentation for Abingdon Ruritan Club Members, 8784 Guinea Rd, Hayes, Contact Richard Scicliano richs@togaboard.org
5/12 Tues, 10am-noon: TOGA Board of Directors Meeting
River Counties Community Foundation, 834 Rappahannock Dr, White Stone
Contact Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org for access
5/14 Thurs, 10am-3pm: MOG Hands-On Lab Day: Oyster anatomy, critters, and more. Master Oyster Gardeners and MOGs in training only. VIMS, 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062. Coordinator: Karen Hudson khudson@vims.edu
5/15 Fri, 10am-3pm: MOG Hands-On Lab Day: Meet the critters of your oyster garden. Master Oyster Gardeners and MOGs in training only. VIMS, 1208 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062. Coordinator: Karen Hudson khudson@vims.edu
5/23 Sat, 9am–noon: TOGA Spring Float and Spat Sale (Order by April 30) Deltaville Maritime Museum, 287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville
Contact Carl Zulick carlz@togaboard.org
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Donate to TOGA
We greatly appreciate donations. Your gift puts more oysters in the Bay... Those oysters clean the water and help the environment, if you're an oyster gardener, or not.
Friend of the Chesapeake License Plates
TOGA activity, getting more oysters in the Bay, is funded by the sale of this VA license plate. For each set sold, $15 goes to the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
