Coastal Cleanup Corporation

Celebrating its 15th year as an active nonprofit organization, the Coastal Cleanup Corporation has supported local volunteers in removing marine debris that washes up with the currents, tides, and winds onto the coastal dune habitat, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove forests within Biscayne National Park, Florida. This past year, in addition to leading shoreline cleanups, CCC partnered with Biscayne National Park to engage volunteers in removing over 140 derelict blue crab, stone crab, and spiny lobster traps that were left abandoned in Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic waters. This is especially rewarding, because these traps are no longer threats to our marine wildlife. We even helped to rescue a green sea turtle when we removed a blue crab trap that had entangled it!

We know these are challenging times for many. Our world feels uncertain, and priorities often pull us in different directions. Yet one thing remains steady: the ocean’s unrelenting call for protection, and the community that continues to answer it. Each stretch of coastline we’ve cleaned, every shoreline we’ve protected, and every bag of marine debris tells a story of people who still believe in small acts that make a big difference. That belief—yours—keeps our mission afloat.

As we look ahead to the next season of cleanups, restoration projects, and marine debris education efforts, our focus is simple: to keep showing up for the beaches that have given us so much.

Our efforts are making a difference in restoring loggerhead sea turtle nesting habitat on Elliott Key and Sands Key. Our volunteers have removed more than 250,000 pounds of harmful discarded fishing nets, marine rope, fishing gear, foam buoys & floats, plastic & rubber items, glass bottles, and lumber from these remote beaches. Our projects have had the support of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, The Sea Turtle License Plate Grant (Sea Turtle Conservancy), Zoo Miami Conservation & Research Fund, National Park Service, as well as through public donations from citizens like you. Coastal Cleanup Corporation is the recipient of the National Park Service George & Helen Hartzog Volunteer Group Award. Through our extensive "Up-cycle Arts" outreach program, CCC has educated thousands of citizens about the harmful effects of ocean pollution and has promoted a sense of coastal stewardship in participants. Visit us at coastalcleanupcorp.org for more information or to get in touch with us to participate in a cleanup with us.