New Jersey Clean Communities
Adopt-A-Beach

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 cleanups 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.

Volunteers may also schedule cleanups at any time during the year, working closely with local governments. To officially adopt a section of beach or waterfront, volunteers must negotiate an agreement with the government agency that “owns” the section of beach or waterfront.

Businesses, community organizations, schools and individuals who would like to volunteer must register online. For more information, contact the Clean Communities Council at 609-989-5900 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.