On January 13 and 14, 2000, the Chesapeake Bay Program cosponsored an Oyster Restoration Workshop in Waldorf, MD to enable scientists, managers, watermen and other members of the Chesapeake Bay community to exchange and review information that ultimately will lead to revisions of the Aquatic Reef Habitat Plan and the Oyster Management Plan. The workshop also was sponsored by members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, Maryland Sea Grant and the Virginia Sea Grant. More than 100 people attended the workshop. Participants included scientists from universities and nonprofit organizations; managers from federal, state and local governments; watermen; and other members of the community interested in oyster restoration and management. On the first day, speakers gave presentations on oyster status and trends, restoration techniques, shell supply and hatchery function. During the second day participants discussed and came to consensus on several significant issues, components of reef design; the need for sanctuaries in restoration strategies (understanding that reserve areas are a necessary component of oyster restoration, and that reserve areas should include managed harvest); the importance of and strategies for minimizing the spread of oyster disease; research and monitoring priorities; the economic and ecological benefits of oyster restoration; and the need to conserve shell supply. This workshop stylein which as many stakeholders and experts as possible were invited to address key questions over a two-day periodresulted in a very successful forum. The present model is offered as a tool to address additional complex management questions regarding the Chesapeake Bay.