The Adopt Your Beach program is not just about litter. It’s about the need for clean oceans, shorelines, and waterways. It is about residents working together to create permanent solutions to shoreline and marine debris. Our oceans and waterways have been a dumping ground for man-made debris for thousands of years. The harmful effects of litter are severe: negative economic and aesthetic impacts, harm and risk to human health and safety, injury and death to animals through entanglement and ingestion, and habitat destruction.

Additionally, the Adopt Your Beach program fosters feelings of pride and ownership as local residents begin to care for “their” beach and it gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and actively participate in conserving coastal resources.

Program Goals

• Maintain clean litter free beaches in Ocean City
• Raise public awareness on clean beach issues
• Collect statistical data on debris found

Help us understand the sources and impacts of littering and pollution. Not only will you learn valuable scientific processing skills, including making observations, collecting data, but submitting the data provides valuable information to Ocean City Surf Club, Ocean City’s Green Team and our partner organizations. Not only does your cleanup and your data help your community and beaches, your data helps us develop solutions to litter and pollution problems around Ocean City.

WBOC Report on Adopt Your Beach!

Step One

Review the AYB Guide and Proposal details to make sure you understand the program and what is involved.

Step Two

Click below to apply and agree to the program terms and conditions.

Step Three

Print your data collection form to keep track of the items you collect. Some participants laminate the form so that they can use a dry erase marker to keep track while saving paper!

Step Four

Enter the data from your collection form by clicking below!

Sign Up To Keep Up To Date On The AYB Program!