North Carolina Students Clean Kure Beach on August 22

Students across North Carolina will start their school year with sand between their toes and a mission to protect marine life at a free beach cleanup event.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the town of Kure Beach are hosting their annual Back-to-School Beach Cleanup on Saturday, August 22, from 8 to 10 a.m. Everyone from toddlers to college students and beyond can join the effort at Ocean Front Park in Kure Beach.

The town is making participation easy by offering free parking for all cleanup volunteers. The aquarium will provide reusable gloves, pickers and bags so participants can show up ready to make a difference.

Volunteers are encouraged to wear their favorite school gear, whether that's a favorite college sweatshirt or elementary school colors. The most spirited dressers will take home prizes for their enthusiasm.

"These beach cleanups are a great way to begin the school year by keeping the health of our ocean top of mind," said Laine Cafferty, Assistant Events Coordinator. The goal is to help students start the year with environmental awareness at the forefront.

The Ripple Effect

This simple morning activity does more than clear trash from one beach. By bringing together students at the start of the academic year, organizers hope to plant seeds of environmental stewardship that will grow throughout the school year and beyond.

The event also models sustainable practices by asking volunteers to bring reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastics. No disposable plastic bags, gloves, water bottles or coffee cups are welcome at the cleanup, reinforcing the message that small choices add up.

Working together for just two hours, volunteers can protect the species and ecosystems that call North Carolina's coast home.