Ocean Blue Project 2nd Quarter Cleanup Report: Over 250,000 Pounds Removed in 2025!
May 2025
By: Karisa Arterbury
Join Us in Stewardship: A Call to Action for Our One World Ocean
At Ocean Blue Project (OBP), our mission to protect and restore our One World Ocean begins with you—our passionate community of volunteers, students, and environmental leaders. During the second quarter of 2025, your efforts in our beach cleanup programs have made a significant impact across Oregon and Florida coastlines. Here’s a look at how your stewardship is helping us inch closer to a cleaner, healthier ocean.
Cleanup Spotlight: Indian Beach, Oregon
On May 9th, at Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, six dedicated volunteers braved high tide conditions to clean this beloved stretch of the Oregon Coast. For Crew Leader Melanie G, the day held a deep personal connection as she shared life milestones while leading the cleanup.
Together, the team collected approximately 200 pieces of marine debris weighing around 9 pounds. Their efforts are a shining example of how even small, intentional acts of ocean cleanup can contribute to a larger, global movement.
Florida Beaches: Empowering the Next Generation of Ocean Stewards
From Fort Myers Beach to Sanibel Island, Florida’s Gulf Coast saw powerful student-led beach cleanups this quarter. At Bonita Beach, OBP volunteer and environmental advocate Taylor M led a team that collected 1.6 pounds of debris. Even more inspiring was our youngest Crew Leader, six-year-old Victor C, who referred to the cleanup as an “Easter egg hunt for trash,” making conservation fun and accessible to all ages.
These efforts underscore the value of youth leadership in environmental action, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.
Serve With Liberty: 226 Pounds in Two Days!
Our partnership with Serve with Liberty exemplifies the power of community collaboration. Led by Bertha Penenori, volunteers gathered an incredible 226 pounds of beach debris across Fort Lauderdale over a two-day period. This initiative demonstrated how corporate engagement can drive a massive impact on local conservation efforts.
Total Impact This Quarter
Thanks to our incredible volunteers and community partners, Ocean Blue Project has:
- Engaged 28 volunteers in Q2 events
- Removed over 242 pounds of weighed debris
- Collected an additional 130 pieces of unweighed litter
As of May 2025, we’ve removed over 250,000 pounds of plastic and marine debris this year alone!
A Milestone Year: Reaching for 5 Million Pounds
We are proud to announce that our lifetime total has reached 2,400,344 pounds of plastic and debris removed from the environment—well on our way toward our goal of removing 5 million pounds.
Join the Movement: Support Student-Led Cleanups
Ocean Blue Project is committed to empowering student leaders and community members through environmental education and hands-on action. By supporting our student-led beach cleanup programs, you’re investing in the next generation of ocean advocates and conservation leaders.
Be a Caretaker of the Ocean
Whether you’re a parent, student, business leader, or passionate ocean lover, you can help us keep the momentum going. Every piece of trash removed brings us closer to a world where marine life can thrive, and future generations can enjoy clean, vibrant beaches.
Join us in making waves of change. Join us in being caretakers of our One World Ocean.