August 2026 Campaign – Let’S Clean Up Our Outdoor Spaces

Clean Shores, Kind Hearts

If there’s one thing many of us in OC can enjoy, it’s the beach. From the shining sun to the laughs with friends, the beach is often a go to spot for many. Beyond our small bubble, many communities coast to coast can agree—some time on the water is a great way to spend a hot day or to enjoy with some good food on a cool night. I know I have always enjoyed reading a book and chilling with my friends on the sand or wakeboarding when I visit the Great Lakes.

But, the only way we can enjoy our beaches, lakes, and rivers is if they stay clean—and that’s not always the case. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has fought against increasing marine litter since their founding in 2006. The NOAA’s Marine Debris Program especially offers a great resource for those who care about and wish to protect our marine life, including showcasing international marine cleanup efforts to fostering education surrounding marine litter.

Racquel and Adrianna agree: Our beaches deserve to be clean. So, as we close out summer and head into the fall season, they hope you will join them in organizing your very own beach (or lake, river, or even park!) cleanup!

It’s not very hard to complete a beach cleanup. Trust me, I’ve done plenty with my friends in the central coast and in OC. The main goal of a cleanup is to do what you can to make a difference, however big or small. That can mean picking up two pieces of trash, or twenty! In the end, any progress is good progress, so Racquel and Adrianna would just like you to help out where you can!

Feel like you’re ready to join our campaign? Here are some steps to get you started on your own beach cleanup:

Want to do even more for our oceans and lakes? The NOAA is a great resource for ways to help minimize marine litter. Their "How to Help" page offers great guidance for how we can make a difference with our marine life, including leading by example (which I hope we all do!). They also have some great educational materials for kiddos on how to Do Something About Marine Debris. These materials include anything from checking marine debris data to fun activities, so I highly recommend folks of all ages to check them out.

Whatever you do decide, Racquel and Adrianna just hope you choose kindness first. From there, whether you set an example by correctly disposing of trash on your own or you organize a beach cleanup, you will always leave your community a little brighter—and that’s a great goal to accomplish.

Thank you,

ISP and Friends

Source: NOAA’s Marine Debris Program

Reflection Questions:

Did you notice a difference after cleaning up your spot?

Did the amount of litter surprise you?

Did the cleanup make you consider whether you litter yourself?