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Beach Guardians

Tackle Plastic Pollution on Our Shores

Plastic pollution doesn’t end once it reaches the water — it washes onto our beaches, collects in marshes, and flows through rivers. Cigarette butts, bottle caps, straws, food wrappers, and other single-use plastics are consistently among the top items found during our cleanups. Globally, researchers estimate that up to 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, impacting marine life like seabirds, turtles, dolphins, and whales, while breaking down into microplastics that contaminate our food, water, and air.

The Surfrider Foundation’s Beach Guardians program empowers volunteers to take action at the shoreline. Guardians lead cleanups, track and report the litter they collect, and help us better understand the sources and impacts of pollution on our coast. This community-driven data fuels our campaigns, supports stronger plastic reduction policies, and raises awareness that every piece picked up makes a difference. Together, we can restore our waterways and protect the health of our ocean — one cleanup at a time.

The Beach Guardians program empowers volunteers to protect our coastlines by leading cleanups, collecting data, and raising awareness so that our communities can enjoy a healthier, cleaner ocean.

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How To Participate

  1. Choose your shoreline
    Pick a site you care about—beach, river, marsh, sound, or inlet.

  2. Sign up to be a Beach Guardian
    Register on Golden: https://x.gldn.io/e/BKJ1iuTKcWb & reach out to us to get your personalized cleanup kit & t-shirt! Email vicechair@boguebanks.surfrider.org.

  3. RSVP for training (get your kit)
    Core Volunteer + Beach Guardian Training: Nov 15, 10–11:30am, Bogue Banks Library

    Register: https://x.gldn.io/e/hPRDz6ZKcWb
    You’ll receive your t-shirt and personal cleanup kit (bucket, gloves, grabber, scale).

  4. Plan your cleanup

    • Solo cleanup: pick a date/time and go!

    • Public cleanup: email details (location, date, time, notes) to the chapter. We’ll create a Golden sign-up link, event graphics, add it to our calendar/socials/newsletter, and arrange extra supplies for attendees.

  5. Lead the cleanup
    Bring your kit, collect debris, weigh all trash using your scale, and take before/after site photos (and group photos if public).

  6. Submit your data (same day if possible)
    Upload photos and total weight here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3cd421179885482fb5394d5dd3ce5860

 

 

Things to keep in mind:

  1. Monitor after major events
    After hurricanes, king tides, or flooding, please complete another submission for your site to help us track erosion and storm impacts (use the same form).

  2. Safety & best practices
    Wear gloves; avoid sharp/hazardous items (note location if not safe to collect); watch tides and weather; bring water, sun protection, and closed-toe shoes; sort/ recycle where available; dispose of waste properly.

  3. Stay involved
    Host monthly cleanups, invite friends/neighbors, and share photos/results with us so we can highlight your impact.

Questions or public event details? vicechair@boguebanks.surfrider.org

Become a Beach Guardian

Why Join Us?

  • Cleanup Kit & Gear – Receive a Beach Guardian t-shirt and personal cleanup kit (including reusable gloves, bucket, grabber, and scale) to support your efforts.

  • Recognition – Featured as an official Beach Guardian on Surfrider Bogue Banks platforms and celebrated at our annual Volunteer Recognition event.

  • Support & Promotion – Chapter leaders will help promote your public cleanups with graphics, volunteer sign-up links, and inclusion in our event calendar, newsletter, and social media.

  • Community Connection – Join a network of dedicated volunteers protecting our coastlines and share your impact alongside other Guardians.

  • Training & Resources – Access training on best practices for safe and effective cleanups, plus ongoing resources to strengthen your impact.

  • Leadership Opportunities – Build skills in event coordination, data collection, and community engagement while inspiring others to take action.

  • Direct Impact – Collect data on litter and erosion that contributes to local and global research, helping shape stronger policies to protect our coast.

  • Be a Coastal Steward – Play a visible, hands-on role in protecting beaches, waterways, and wildlife along the Crystal Coast.

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Support the Beach Guardians Program

We’re launching a new volunteer-led initiative to empower locals to protect and monitor our 85-mile stretch of the Crystal Coast. In its first year, the Beach Guardians Program aims to remove over 5,000 pounds of litter and engage more than 1,000 community members — but we need your help to make it possible.

Why Support Matters:

  • Equip Beach Guardians with cleanup kits and training

  • Expand beach cleanups across the Crystal Coast

  • Collect critical data on litter and erosion

  • Inspire community stewardship and protect marine life

 

Sponsorship Levels:

  • $100 – Supporter: Recognition on social media and newsletter

  • $300 – Advocate: All above, plus logo in program materials, recognition at events, and feature on our website

  • $500 – Champion: All above, plus logo on Beach Guardian t-shirts and buckets, and an employee volunteer day with Surfrider

 

Your support gives volunteers the tools to protect our coast and inspire action. Together, we can restore our beaches — one cleanup at a time. Email vicechair@boguebanks.surfrider.org to learn more! 

Make A Donation

Contacts

Sam Athey
Vice Chair
vicechair@boguebanks.surfrider.org