Our Work

Cultivation Requires Commitment

The work of the Wellfleet Oyster Alliance (WOA) is a year round effort. We exist to serve the storied shellfishing industry of our hometown, Wellfleet, Massachusetts and the men and women who toil with the tides of Cape Cod Bay, harvesting the fruits of our home harbor.

Thanks to our supporters, professional partnerships, and a dedicated core of volunteers and collaborators, WOA produces events large and small, award grants and scholarships, host oyster farm tours on the flats, and much, much more.

Celebration

Since the beginning, WOA has produced the annual Wellfleet OysterFest™, a small-town festival that delivers a truly world class experience for the tens of thousands of people who attend every Fall. Since its inception in 2001, Wellfleet OysterFest has become one of the most iconic annual events on Cape Cod.

OysterFest may be the biggest celebration we host, but it is far from the only one. WOA also hosts the Wellfleet Makers Market, Wellfleet Art and Oyster Crawls, and more.

See details about our upcoming events.

Education

Creating fun and lasting opportunities for learning underscores nearly everything WOA does. Farm tours, academic scholarships, scientific grant funding, and an Education Outreach Committee comprised of local scientists, teachers, and a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are amongst our many offerings.

Take a deeper look at our education programs and grant funding opportunities.

How We work

WOA is a people-powered organization. The greater Wellfleet community is our lifeblood. Without Alliance members, volunteers, donors, and professional partnerships, none of our programs would exist. People like YOU make WOA possible.

Comprised of 10 volunteers, WOA’s Board of Directors represents the diverse fabric of life in Wellfleet. From oyster farmers and artists to career educators, business owners, restaurant industry veterans, non-profit organizers, professional association representatives, and lifelong residents of Wellfleet, our board and extended network of volunteers represent the dynamic skill sets of the people who call Wellfleet home.

All new board members are elected via an in-house process of appointment and ratification.

  • Nancy O’Connell

    Board President

  • Tom Siggia

    Treasurer

  • Lisa Brown

    Clerk, Founding Board Member

  • Liz Shook

  • Jodi Birchal

  • Alfred Pickard

  • Jake Puffer

  • Michael Rose

  • Carli Bertrand

    Carli Bertrand

  • Chris Merl

  • Deirdre Oringer

    Director of Programs & Community Outreach

  • Tonya Felix

    Tonya Felix

    Events Staff

  • Erika Smith

    Volunteer Coordinator

A Note About the Photography

Cape resident Edward Boches, whose photography is featured throughout this website, has been documenting Wellfleet's shellfishing community for the better part of the last half decade. He has generously donated his time and many of his images to WOA fundraisers, auctions, and for use across our digital platforms and assorted media coverage. A poetic observer of humanity and its infinite expressions, Edward’s love affair with our community has only just begun and WOA looks forward to his continued creative contributions.