A glimpse into the past provides a vision for the future.

Beneath the glittering cities of the Pearl River Estuary lie the remnants of a once-vast natural resource that, for over a millennium, shaped the industry, ecology, and prosperity of coastal communities. These forgotten oyster reefs were keystone habitats—vital ecosystems that sustained marine life and supported human civilization. Today, they are nearly gone, erased from memory but not from significance.

City of Shells follows a team of researchers, restorationists, and citizen explorers as they delve into the past, uncovering strange and wonderful clues that reveal how crucial oysters have been to the ecosystem and to the development of our modern megacities on the Pearl River. As the team explores what remains and imagines the future, their findings suggest that oysters may hold the key to improving and protecting both our cities and oceans. What would it look like, if restoration is the way to create a more resilient and vibrant world.