Ecosystem Restoration United States Project #53308

Mobilize 5,000 Volunteers at 200 Cleanups Annually

by Ocean Blue

Project Report | Nov 24, 2025
We didn't expect this... but now we need YOUR help

By Karisa Arterbury | Director of Operations + Development (volunteer)

Good Tide volunteers at the iconic Cannon Beach

Dear Ocean Blue Project Supporter,

We didn't expect this…

When Kathy Lynch of Green Matters committed $11,000 to fund our 2026 East Coast CleanUp Tour - focused on New Jersey beaches and training stewardship interns-we were reminded once again that generous people like you make this movement possible. Her unexpected gift set the stage for something bigger.

Now we're asking: Will you help us engage thousands more volunteers and expand our reach across the nation?

This Giving Tuesday marks the launch of our Annual Save the Waves annual campaign.
Our goal: raise $200,000 by December 31st.
With $11,398 raised and $25,000 pledged, we still need $163,602 to reach our target.

Our 2025 Impact: Communities United

Through the Create a CleanUp Program in Q3 alone, we mobilized:

3,177 volunteers
63 cleanup events
62,594.1 pounds of debris removed

Since the beginning of 2024, we’ve removed 2,125,717 pounds of debris-exceeding our commitments by more than 164,000 pounds. Our lifetime total now stands at 3,293,344 pounds, cleared from beaches, parks, and waterways across America.

Highlights from this quarter:

Virginia World Ocean Day: Over 40 events statewide. 740 participants in Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation alone. 30,000+ pounds removed.
Corporate leadership: Otis Elevator and Global Legal & Compliance teams joined the movement.
Educational impact: TRIO-led students at NW Beach, Oregon removed 530 pounds while learning about stewardship.

Spotlight: Good Tide x Wyld Employee CleanUp

Our partners at Good Tide (Wyld) continue to show what corporate leadership in action really looks like.

On August 1, 2025, 20 Good Tide volunteers gathered at Cannon Beach (3288 Pacific Avenue, Cannon Beach, OR 97145) and removed:

58 pounds of debris
1,000+ individual pieces, including bits of plastic, Styrofoam, cigarette butts, and food wrappers
-most found where sand meets tall grasses, bushes, rocks, and along the wrack line.

This event is part of a 3-year partnership launched in January 2024, in which the Wyld family of brands is sponsoring the removal of 100,000 pounds of plastic and debris each year (2024–2026). Their employees continue to volunteer enthusiastically, with more cleanups already planned.

Looking Ahead: Northeast Expansion + Nationwide Strength

Your support will help us:

Expand throughout the Northeast - building on Kathy’s transformative grant
Maintain our national chapters - supporting cleanups from Oregon to Virginia
Train stewardship interns - building tomorrow’s environmental leaders
Empower corporate partners - fostering more engagement like Good Tide’s

32 Days to Make History

We have just over one month to raise the remaining $163,602 and hit our $200,000 goal.

Kathy Lynch’s generosity opened the door for our 2026 East Coast CleanUp expansion.
Your gift today makes sure we can walk through that door - and bring thousands of volunteers with us.

Will you join us in creating cleaner communities from coast to coast?

Together, we're not just picking up trash - we're building pride, awareness, and connection. We're showing that collective action creates real change. And we're proving that every piece of debris removed reflects a commitment to a healthier planet.

Thank you for lending your support to this movement.
Together, we are restoring our waterways for all.

With gratitude,
Karisa Arterbury
Ocean Blue Project

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Sep 29, 2025
3.2 Million Pound of Debris & 3,000+ Volunteers

By Karisa Arterbury | Director of Operations and Development (volunteer)

Intern Zack B with group at Potomac River CleanUp

OBP Create a CleanUp Program Report

3nd Quarter 2025

September 29, 2025

Dear Ocean Blue Project Supporters, Volunteers, and Partners,

It brings me great pride to open our Q3 2025 Cleanup Report by celebrating a milestone that extends far beyond this quarter; one made possible by all of you. Through the Plastic Disaster Relief Program and hundreds of Create a CleanUp events, Ocean Blue Project’s team, partners, and volunteers have now removed a lifetime total of

3,293,344 pounds!

of debris from our nation’s waterways. To put this in perspective, that’s the equivalent weight of more than 16 Space Shuttle orbiters, at least 11 blue whales, or approximately 132 school buses.

Since the start of 2024 alone, we’ve taken another leap forward, surpassing our ambitious pledge by cleaning up

2,125,717 pounds

of debris, exceeding our commitments by over 164,000 pounds and delivering an additional

$32,830 of value

to our ocean, communities, and wildlife. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they reflect an extraordinary collective movement and Ocean Blue Project’s ongoing leadership uniting supporters, communities, and student advocates in our mission to protect our blue planet for generations to come.

This summer also marks an inspiring chapter for OBP, with our energetic and insightful high school intern Zack B. Traditionally, Ocean Blue Project has engaged with college students, but bringing a high school intern into our team has offered fresh perspectives, enriched our programs, and brought new dynamism and creativity to our staff and volunteers.

Impact at a Glance: Create a CleanUp Program Q3 Achievements

Total Volunteers: 3,177
Total Cleanups: 63
Total Debris Removed: 62,594.1 lbs

Through these programs and your tireless support, every pound removed and every relationship forged brings us closer to a healthier, more resilient ocean for all.

Let me take a moment to highlight just a few of the incredible stories you helped write:

Cannon Beach, Oregon (with Wyld/Good Tide):

Twenty enthusiastic volunteers collected 20 lbs and 58 pieces of debris as part of a multi-year partnership to remove 100,000 lbs annually. “We’re proud our employees are directly involved… This event was a great success and we’re already looking forward to the next cleanup!” said Chris LoConti, Good Tide.

World Ocean Day, Virginia:

With over 40 events, Virginia communities removed more than 30,000 pounds statewide. Notably, 94 Portsmouth volunteers removed 6,833 lbs, and Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation brought together 740 people for a record turnout! This effort shows the true power of community-driven stewardship.

Corporate and Educational Engagement:

Otis Elevator and Global Legal & Compliance teams exemplified business leadership, while TRIO-led students at NW Beach Dr, OR, removed 530 lbs and had hands-on lessons about human impact and environmental care.

Summary and Appreciation:

Together, you’ve helped remove more than 62,000 lbs of debris from beaches, parks, and waterways, building pride, awareness, and lasting community connections. Every piece of trash removed reflects your commitment to a cleaner, healthier planet.

Thank you for lending your time, energy, and stories to the Ocean Blue Project. Your service protects cherished places and inspires others to join us. We look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead. Together, we are restoring our waterways for all.

With gratitude,

Karisa Arterbury

Cannon Beach CleanUp

Links:

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May 21, 2025
Spring CleanUp Crew Leader Highlights

By Karisa Arterbury | Create a Cleanup Program Lead Volunteer

Ecola Park, Oregon

Join Us in Stewardship: A Call to Action for Our Oceans

Dear Ocean Stewards,

The spirit of collaboration and environmental stewardship shone brightly during our recent Ocean Blue Cleanup events. Across various locations, volunteers came together, driven by the shared goal of preserving the beauty of our precious shorelines.

A Story from Indian Beach

On May 9th, at Indian Beach, Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast, six engaged volunteers embarked on a meaningful cleanup, starting at high tide and continuing as the ocean retreated. The day held personal significance for Crew Leader, Melanie G, who shared nostalgic stories of her life milestones at this special location. Their diligent efforts resulted in collecting approximately 200 pieces of debris, estimated to weigh 9 pounds. This unexpected challenge underscored a hopeful message: our combined stewardship efforts are indeed making a difference.

Across Florida’s Beaches

From Fort Myers Beach to Sanibel Island, Florida Gulf Coast University students volunteers echoed a similar narrative. Passionate individuals like Ocean Blue’s youngest Crew Leader, six year old Victor C, who thrilled in the “Easter egg hunt” of trash-finding, managed to collect considerable amounts of debris. Taylor M, a committed environmental advocate, led efforts at Bonita Beach, gathering 1.6 lbs. Despite the scattered trash, the noticeable cleanliness of these beaches highlighted the success of ongoing preservation efforts.

Serve With Liberty: Making a Massive Impact

The 2025 Serve with Liberty initiative showcased the power of corporate and community partnership. Under the leadership of Bertha Penenori, volunteers managed to amass a whopping 226 pounds of debris from Fort Lauderdale’s beaches over two action-packed days. Their commitment to demonstrating environmental stewardship resonated deeply, fostering a sustainable future for our communities.

Total Impact

Across these events, 28 volunteers participated, resulting in the removal of over 242 pounds plus an additional 130 pieces of unweighed debris. This collective action reinforces the impactful role that each of us can play in safeguarding our ocean.

To date, Ocean Blue staff and volunteers have cleaned up over 250,000 pounds of plastic and debris in 2025. And as we near the halfway point of our 5 million pound goal, our lifetime impact is now reaching over 2.4 million pounds of waste and debris cleaned up!

A Call to Future Leaders

We invite you to continue supporting our student-led cleanups, an opportunity not just for environmental advocacy but for leadership development. Supporting these efforts will cultivate stewardship of our one world ocean and empower a new generation of leaders committed to sustaining our planet.

Let’s work together to ensure that our shores remain pristine for future generations to enjoy and cherish.

Warm regards,

Karisa Arterbury

Join us in making a difference. Join us in being caretakers of the ocean.

Ocean Blue's Youngest CleanUp Crew Leader!

Florida Gulf Coast University at Sanibel Island

Liberty Mutual at Hugh Taylor Birch Park, FL

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