Volunteer at Cannon Beach — Beach Cleanups & Events

Beach Clean up Near Me

How to Sign Up

Beach clean up is vital to protecting marine ecosystems because they remove plastic debris before it has the chance to wash out to sea and harm wildlife. As a beach cleanup volunteer, you’re contributing to the sustainability of our planet.

What to Bring

By joining a beach clean up, you’re contributing to the sustainability of our planet.

  • Reusable Bags, buckets over plastic trash bags

  • Gloves

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Drinking-Water to Stay Hydrated (Reusable Bottle)

  • Reef Safe Sunblock or Sunscreen

Join Ocean Blue Project Beach Cleanups at Haystack Rock

Help protect one of Oregon’s most iconic coastlines by volunteering at our Cannon Beach beach cleanups near Haystack Rock. Ocean Blue Project hosts regular, family-friendly cleanup events where volunteers remove plastic pollution and marine debris from the shoreline.

Whether you’re a local resident, visiting the Oregon Coast, or looking for a meaningful way to give back, our Cannon Beach volunteer events make it easy to help protect ocean wildlife and coastal ecosystems.

All cleanup supplies are provided, and volunteers of all ages are welcome.

Join our next Cannon Beach cleanup and make a direct impact on ocean health.

Upcoming Cannon Beach Cleanup Events

We host regular beach cleanup events throughout the year at Cannon Beach.

Upcoming Event Example

Cannon Beach Cleanup — Haystack Rock

📅 Date: September 19, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Meeting Location: Haystack Rock Beach Access

Volunteers will receive gloves, bags, and cleanup instructions before heading out along the beach to remove ocean plastic pollution and marine debris.

👉 Reserve Your Spot


Why Volunteer at Cannon Beach?

Cannon Beach is one of Oregon’s most visited coastal destinations and an important habitat for marine wildlife and seabirds. Unfortunately, ocean currents and visitor activity bring plastic waste and debris onto the shoreline.

By joining a Cannon Beach volunteer cleanup, you help:

• Remove harmful plastic pollution
• Protect marine wildlife and seabird habitats
• Keep the Oregon Coast beautiful
• Support local conservation efforts

Every cleanup helps prevent trash from entering the ocean and breaking down into microplastics.


Meeting Location and Parking

Our Cannon Beach cleanups typically meet near Haystack Rock, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Oregon Coast.

Meeting Point
Haystack Rock Beach Access
Cannon Beach, Oregon

Parking is available throughout Cannon Beach near the beach access points. Please allow extra time during busy tourist seasons.

Volunteers will receive exact meeting details after signing up.


What to Bring

Ocean Blue Project provides gloves, bags, and cleanup supplies. Volunteers should bring:

• Comfortable clothes for outdoor activity
• Closed-toe shoes or boots
• Reusable water bottle
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Sunscreen or rain gear depending on conditions

Cleanup events take place rain or shine.


Who Can Volunteer?

Our Cannon Beach beach cleanups are designed to be family-friendly and accessible to all ages.

Volunteers include:

• Local community members
• Families and students
• Corporate volunteer groups
• Visitors exploring the Oregon Coast

Children are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.


Our Impact at Cannon Beach

Ocean Blue Project volunteers have helped remove thousands of pounds of plastic pollution from Oregon’s beaches.

Thanks to volunteers like you, our cleanup programs have:

• Removed thousands of pounds of trash from coastal environments
• Engaged hundreds of volunteers each year
• Prevented plastic from entering the ocean ecosystem

Every cleanup makes a measurable difference.


Volunteer Testimonials

“It felt amazing to help protect such a beautiful place.”
— Cannon Beach Volunteer

“Great organization and a fun way to give back while visiting the coast.”
— Oregon Coast Visitor


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to volunteer?

No experience is required. Our team provides instructions and all cleanup supplies.

Do I need to register before the cleanup?

Yes, we recommend signing up online so we know how many volunteers to expect.

Are children allowed?

Yes! Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Cleanups typically happen rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe.


Join the Next Cannon Beach Cleanup

Your help keeps Cannon Beach clean and protects marine life from plastic pollution.

🌊 Volunteer with Ocean Blue Project today and make a real impact.

What to Pick Up

Volunteer FAQs

1

Litters & Debris

Even Small Bits, Animals can mistake them for food

2

Recyclables

like glass, aluminum cans, tin cans, plastic drinking bottles

3

Trash

plastics, metals, glass, styrofoam, foil wrappers, cloth, cardboard, paper, leftover food or food waste

4

Microplastics

A. By technical definition, microplastics are about the size of sesame seeds.
B. They often come from larger plastics that break down into smaller and smaller
pieces.
C. Common sources of microplastics are plastic containers and bottles, bottle caps and lids, packaging, ropes, and
ghost nets.
D. Miroplastics can be found along the beach on the high tide mark, since floating debris is often washed up during high tide. 
5

Leave No Trace

Gloves, cleaning supplies, and anything
you brought with you; leave nothing behind but your footprints!

Beach Clean up Best Practices

  • Split recyclables and trash into separate bags
  • Tie trash bags and dispose in dumpsters (beware overflowing bins: they can cause items to fly away and end up back in the water)
  • Don’t pick up weapons or anything that looks like it came from a hospital. Mark questionable items and inform your organizer or the lifeguard. 
  • If it occurs naturally in nature — like kelp, shells, driftwood — leave it be (try not disrupt animals and plants in the area)
  • Know your cleanup zone boundaries and meeting times 
  • Take note of the nearest lifeguard station and know what to do in case of an emergency
Create-a-Cleanup

Volunteer With a Friend!

The pollution in our communities is a reflection of what’s hurting the ocean. Whether you’re close to the water or not, you can fight ocean plastic cleanup pollution with local changes. Make a difference by joining a community ocean plastic cleanup!

Most importantly, creating local community cleanups is a great way to teach youth the importance of healthy communities and clean water projects. Lastly, the more ocean plastic we can remove depends on Ocean Cleanup volunteers like you! Thank you for supporting Ocean Blue Project the save the ocean organization nonprofit.

Trying to convince a friend to join you in a beach clean up? Here are a few reasons why we should all care about the health of our waters:

  • The ocean provides over 70% of the oxygen we breathe
  • Rivers and oceans are important sources of food
  • Seaweed is an ingredient in many consumer products and captures carbon from our atmosphere
  • Scientists use marine organisms for lifesaving medicines 

If we keep our waters healthy, we can keep our livelihoods and economies thriving, protect wildlife, enjoy water recreation, and build a brighter future for generations to come.

Why Pick Up Plastics and Microplastics?

Look Out for Wildlife

As you explore the cleanup zone, enjoy the nature around you, but try not to disrupt the animals and plants. They're enjoying a beach day too! If you find an injured animal, contact your nearest wildlife agency.

Microplastics occur when the sun breaks down plastic debris into smaller and smaller fragments that never fully biodegrade. Animals often mistake plastics and microplastics for food and can get entangled, injured, gravely sick, or wash ashore. When animals that ingest — but can’t digest — these microplastics are eaten, the plastic moves up the food chain, potentially into our food.

Thank you for keeping our ocean blue.

"Beach cleanups are vital to protecting marine ecosystems because they remove plastic debris before it has the chance to break into smaller fragments that washout to sea and harm wildlife. By joining a cleanup, you’re contributing to the sustainability of our planet."

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Beach Cleanup Near Me

01 March 2026
March 1 - May 31

Corporate & Group Beach Cleanup Volunteer East Coast Events Schedule a Team Volunteer Day with Ocean Blue Project Host a meaningful, measurable, and professionally organized beach cleanup event with Ocean […]

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