Earth Day 2026

Be a positive force for the global ocean! This Earth Day, let's focus on Ocean Literacy Principle #6: Humans and the ocean are inextricably interconnected.

How might our actions impact the ocean for good? Here are some ideas:

Beach Cleanups - Take 5! Even five minutes of beach cleanup makes a big difference to the animals that live in and near the ocean. Our Trash Tote program has some great resources to use before and after your cleanup!

Shrink Wrap Recycling - Are you a boater who uses wrap to protect your boat in the off-season? If so, we've got you covered!  Bring your used wrap to one of our free shrink wrap recycling sites on Cape Cod. Visit our webpage to find the location nearest you.

Single Use Plastic Reduction - Your choices matter! Take time to consider what you purchase and what it's packaged in! In collaboration with CARE for the Cape and Islands, we are helping to reduce single-use plastics in the food and hospitality industry by suggesting alternatives and providing guidance to businesses.  Check out the resources and successes at the Useless Plastic website.

CoastSnap - So, you're walking along the beach and suddenly you see a sign encouraging you to take a photo and share it to a website. Sounds like you're at a CoastSnap station! These stations help to monitor shoreline change and can teach us a lot about how our beaches change after storms and from season to season. Use the map on our webpage to find a CoastSnap station near you!

River Herring - Volunteer to help count river herring as they return to local ponds to spawn! These determined little fish are an important part of our ecosystem and our heritage. Their tenacity surely inspires resilience in all of us!