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Clean-Oceans-International

Clean Oceans International is a nonprofit tackling plastic pollution through global outreach, science, and education. Join us in fighting plastic pollution!

Donate: https://www.cleanoceansinternational.org/giving-tuesday.html

05/16/2026

🌊 3rd Annual Sally Scholz Coastal Cleanup Recap 🌊

What an incredible day at Moran Lake Beach!

Last Saturday, Clean Oceans International volunteers came together for the 3rd Annual Sally Scholz Coastal Cleanup, held alongside Santa Cruz County’s annual Pitch In cleanup day. Across the county, community members showed up to care for local neighborhoods, parks, and coastlines — and our team made a huge impact on the shoreline. 💙

Together, volunteers removed:
🗑️ 86 lbs of debris
🧩 1,329 pieces of litter
🌊 356 fresh pieces (27%)
🌬️ 973 weathered pieces (73%)

Seeing so much weathered debris collected is a reminder that plastic pollution can remain in the environment for years when it is not removed. Every cleanup helps prevent larger plastics from breaking down into harmful microplastics while protecting wildlife and coastal habitats.

It was especially meaningful to have one of Sally Scholz’s close friends join us for the cleanup, making the day feel even more connected to the community and legacy Sally helped inspire. 💙

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, supported the event, shared conversations, and helped continue Sally’s legacy of ocean stewardship. The energy, teamwork, and care shown throughout the morning made this cleanup truly special. 🌎

☕Shout out to Peet's coffee for the caffeine boost!!

04/27/2026

🌊 Help us keep our coastline clean!

Join Clean Oceans International for our Biannual Sally Scholz Coastal Clean-Up at Moran Lake Beach 💙 We will be working together with Santa Cruz County for their annual Pitch In day to clean our environment.

📅 May 9th
⏰ 9AM – 12PM

- All are welcome
- Volunteer hours available
- Coffee & snacks provided (bring your own mug if you can!)
- Bring gloves & buckets if you have them (extras available)

Whether you stay for 30 minutes or the whole time, every bit counts 🌎

📍 Moran Lake Beach Parking Lot
📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to learn more about COI

Bring a friend and make a difference!

04/25/2026

Sunny skies and strong turnout for Earth Day Santa Cruz ☀️

We spent the day connecting with the community about plastic pollution—sharing both our shoreline survey work and our exploration of localized solutions like portable plastic waste conversion.

What stood out most? People wanted to go deeper—into the data, the challenges, and what real solutions could look like.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to spend time with us.

04/23/2026

BREAK UP WITH PLASTIC
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXMOYPCjAZJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

04/17/2026

We’ll be at Earth Day Santa Cruz this Saturday, 11:30–4:00!

Stop by our booth to say hello and check out what we’ve been finding along our local shoreline. 🌊

03/05/2026

At Clean Oceans International, our interns play an important role in advancing our work and strengthening our community.

Here’s what our first official intern had to say about her experience with COI:

“Interning with Clean Oceans International was a great opportunity to connect with the science and ocean-loving community in Santa Cruz. As the first official intern, I helped organize coastal clean-ups and supported the Beach Adoption Program (BAP) and Environmental Plastic Assessment Program (EPAP). I also contributed to the EPAP through data entry and supported research on implementing a plastic-to-fuel machine in the Ulithi Atoll, Micronesia.

This experience was incredibly enriching and allowed me to contribute to meaningful environmental efforts while strengthening ties within my community. It reinforced my desire to pursue graduate study and a career in conservation-focused geoscience, where field data and public engagement intersect. I’m so grateful to have contributed to COI’s mission and been part of its growth.”

We’re grateful for the time, dedication, and passion our interns bring to COI and are proud to support the next generation of ocean stewards. 🌊

02/27/2026

🌊 We’re excited to welcome a new cohort of 11 students from UC Santa Cruz this spring!

These interns are working on two local beaches, where they are conducting EPAP plastic pollution surveys and participating in cleanups. Their efforts contribute to a growing dataset that helps track changes in coastal plastic pollution over time.

This kind of consistent fieldwork is critical to understanding the scale and patterns of pollution—and to informing effective responses.

We’re grateful to have them on the team and look forward to the impact they’ll make this season.

12/18/2025

A year later and we’re still blown away by the incredible shout-out from , mentioning our Education Director's thesis from 1983! 🌊💙

A huge thank-you to Any_Austin and to everyone who found COI through his video! Your support is directly fueling our mission to fight plastic pollution.

🎥 Watch the original video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li-Ph_gdqk8&t=2s

12/12/2025

🌊✨ We’re excited to officially welcome Amelia Labbe as Clean Oceans International’s Executive Director.

Amelia brings a background in marine science and environmental fieldwork, with years of experience working alongside students, volunteers, and community partners. Her approach centers on careful data collection and long-term learning, with an emphasis on clarity and public access.

Since stepping into the role, Amelia has updated COI’s website and public materials, expanded the organization’s plastic-survey database, remained actively involved in COI’s student and community programs, and strengthened COI’s funding systems.

Looking ahead, she is focused on expanding COI's Beach Adoption and Internship programs, growing our partnerships, building diversified funding, and continuing COI’s data-driven, community-powered approach.

We’re glad to have her leading this next chapter. 💙

12/09/2025

Thank you to everyone who contributed last week! Your support helps sustain Clean Oceans International’s work to monitor and reduce plastic pollution year-round.

If you missed Giving Tuesday, no worries — donations are welcome anytime, and every gift truly helps protect our oceans. 💙🌊

Address

345 Lake Avenue, Suite G
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

Telephone

+18312262937

Website

http://www.cleanoceansinternational.org/

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