Adopt a Beach - Overview
Adopt-A-Beach is a comprehensive, statewide, volunteer program created by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to encourage volunteers to clean and maintain beaches, bays, rivers and all waterways. Our mission is to clean waterways in an ongoing effort to protect these natural resources and foster the volunteer stewardship of public lands; to clean and maintain roadways because street litter often ends up in the water.
The Clean Communities Council sponsors two cleanup initiatives each year. The Clean Water Challenge takes place March 1-April 30. The International Coastal Cleanup takes place in September; the date is determined by Ocean Conservancy. We invite volunteers to participate.
If you are a volunteer or volunteer group interested in learning about available opportunities or how to organize a one-day cleanup event, please complete the Adopt-a-Beach Inquiry Form.
Interested parties will be asked the following:
- Contact name, email, and phone number
- Location(s) most desired (county and/or municipality)
- Date(s) most desired (e.g. what month, weekend or weekday)
- Approximate number of participants
Once the form is received by the Adopt-a-Beach Coordinator, the cleanup event inquiry contact person will receive an email with further information and next steps.
Successful events are required to:
- Complete and file litter summary reports
Note: Completion of the Adopt-a-Beach form is an important first step in helping us meet your preferred location and scheduling needs. We can also arrange a cleanup at a local park or waterway location within your area of interest to accommodate your event.
Should you have additional questions, please contact the Clean Communities Council at 609-989-5900 or njccc@njclean.org