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On September 16, 2008, after a tailgate picnic, nearly 30 kayakers braved the wind and waves at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge for an evening interpretive paddle around the refuge. The paddlers were blessed with a colorful sunset and the sounds of the first Canada geese of the season, although an overcast sky hid the harvest moon.

The event was hosted by the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College, the Friends of Eastern Neck, and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge who are partnering on oyster restoration projects near the refuge. The program involves community outreach and education to teach people about benthic habitat and the importance of oysters to health of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition to Taylor Float demonstration projects at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, a number of local residents are growing spat-on-shell in cages or floats. The data collected will be used in consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the feasibility of establishing an oyster bar near the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.