Pearls of Wisdom

Tabor Academy is known as the “School by the Sea,” and its incredible seaside facilities definitely live up to the name. Tabor’s marine biology lab sits right along the shore of Sippican Harbor and creates the ideal location for hands-on learning.

About a year ago, Tabor began cultivating an oyster farm, which has since grown to hold over 4,000 oysters. According to Tabor Academy, the project got a lot of positive feedback and support from trustees, students, and Tabor graduates.

Luckily for us, oysters grow naturally in Marion Harbor and have been harvested in this area for thousands of years. These oysters have not only helped to sustain local economies, they have also made a huge impact on water quality in our area. Since oysters must filter water in order to survive, they are exceptional at removing pollutants from murky water. Over time, the oysters that are introduced into our harbor will clean and clarify the salt water.

David Bill, who serves as manager for the Tabor Academy Oyster Farm, says that it seemed “natural to start a farm” at Tabor for a variety of reasons. It is well known that Tabor has an “established school history in the nautical sciences,” and the farm has allowed a combination of educational usage and community outreach. Not only will these oysters clean pollutants out of Sippican Harbor, they will also help sustain local farmers as we move into oyster harvesting season.

In addition, Bill added that starting the farm “made a lot of sense for us” at this particular time. The incredible seaside marine biology lab is “the perfect environment for [oyster farming],” as it allows participants to observe the growing process from start to finish.The oyster farm, which grew from once tiny seeds, provides a great educational program for both Tabor students and summer campers. Throughout the academic school year, students have been able to participate in the oyster farm through various science labs and observational studies.

Tabor summer campers also have the chance to participate in the oyster farm. This year, campers observed and helped grow oysters before introducing them directly into the wild. Under careful instruction, campers compiled what are known as “oyster reefs,” essentially large piles of oysters which are deposited into the salt water. Each week, campers have taken time-lapse photos to track the farm’s progress. Summer art classes have also had the chance to participate by sketching creative portraits of the farm.

According to Dave Bill, the Oyster Farm exists “to give Tabor students the skills and experiences working in marine science labs they wouldn’t otherwise get.” The farm has allowed teachers to combine Tabor’s academic curriculum with useful hands-on and visual learning to submerge students in the nautical sciences. The Tabor Academy Oyster Farm has already contributed so much to our community through these educational programs, and it will only continue to enhance the area over time as our harbor is filtered of its pollutants.

By Jacqueline Hatch

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