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. They work to restore and protect endangered sea turtle nesting habitat through volunteer marine debris cleanups, exotic plant removal efforts, and sea turtle nest monitoring. CCC's efforts are aimed at maintaining suitable nesting grounds for endangered loggerhead  sea turtles, as well as improving habitat for birds, marine mammals, and other coastal species. 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 was especially rewarding, because these traps are no longer threats to our marine wildlife. We even helped to rescue a juvenile green sea turtle which we removed from a blue crab trap line that had entangled it!

As we look ahead to the next season of cleanups, restoration projects, and marine debris outreach education efforts, our focus is simple: to keep showing up for the beaches that have given us so much. We know these are challenging times for many, and we appreciate even small acts that will make a big difference in our efforts. 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 deeds that make a big difference. That belief—yours—keeps our mission afloat.

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. As a result, loggerhead sea turtle nesting has improved in both number and in success rates. 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. Through our extensive "Up-cycle Arts" outreach program, CCC has educated thousands of citizens about the harmful effects of ocean pollution and has instilled 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.