City Island volunteers are using oysters to improve their waterway, and local restaurants are stepping in to help out.

Restaurants like Sea Shore, Seafood City, Sammy's Shrimp Box, Tony's Pier, Lobster House and Johnny's Reef are joining the cause by collecting the shells.

The collected shells are initially kept out of the water to remove toxins, then once ready about a year later, are placed in the water.

Volunteers say the oysters will bring more life to the island, adding one oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day. They're also working on recruiting more local businesses to help. They say their goal is to reestablish the oyster reef population that was vibrant long ago.