Volunteer Orientation
Our volunteers are an integral part of our mission! Become a volunteer in our Aquarium, Beach Captain, Community Science, Outreach and Youth Education programs.
Reusable LA
Getting real about reusables. We’re part of Reusable LA, a group of organizations working on resolving LA’s plastic pollution issue by championing a reusable culture and empowering other cities to do the same.
How will you take part?
Give Time
Wanna roll up your sleeves at a cleanup? Or would you rather take long walks on the beach and monitor Marine Protected Areas with binoculars? Or maybe you’d love to help educate the public at our Aquarium?
Select a tab below to get the low down on all our enticing Aquarium, Beach, Outreach, Community Science and Youth programs and opportunities.
- Time Commitment:
- Light
- Medium
- Heavy
Nothin’ But Sand
What: Our monthly all-ages beach cleanup bonanza
When: 10am to Noon on the third Saturday of every month (except December)
Where: A different LA County beach each month
Note: This is a rain or shine event. Cleanups are only cancelled for lightning or thunderstorms. We will still hold the cleanup in light and steady rain. In this case, please come prepared with a rain jacket, appropriate shoes, and an umbrella.
Wednesday Warriors
What: An office odyssey every Wednesday: Creative projects, data entry, supplies inventory and more with Heal the Bay and Aquarium staff
When: Wednesdays, 1:30pm-4:30pm
Where: Heal the Bay HQ
Volunteer Orientation
What: Attend one of our monthly Volunteer Orientations to learn more about Heal the Bay, our current issues, and how you can get involved with our exciting Aquarium, Beach, Outreach, Community Science, and Youth volunteer programs
When: 6:30pm-8:30pm on the second Monday of every month (except December)
Internships
What: Heal the Bay interns are a special fleet of clean water advocates who are constantly learning new skills while supporting Heal the Bay’s events and campaigns
Where: Heal the Bay HQ, Heal the Bay Aquarium, and all over LA County
When: Year-round
Nothin’ But Sand
What: Our monthly all-ages beach cleanup bonanza
When: 10am to Noon on the third Saturday of every month (except December)
Where: A different LA County beach each month
Note: This is a rain or shine event. Cleanups are only cancelled for lightning or thunderstorms. We will still hold the cleanup in light and steady rain. In this case, please come prepared with a rain jacket, appropriate shoes, and an umbrella.
Request a Speaker
What: Invite an environmental science educator to deliver an interactive, fact-filled presentation virtually on the story of Southern California’s water system and the causes of–and solutions to–marine pollution
When: Year-round
Where: Anywhere in LA County
**Due to COVID-19 related school orders, we are now offering Ocean Pollution and Know the Flow presentations virtually. Feel free to sign up and write “Virtual Request” in one of the description fields.
***If you are a teacher or parent looking for additional education content for your kids, check out our new Knowledge Drops webinars.
Adopt-A-Beach
What: Show some TLC to the LA beach of your group’s choice by cleaning it up three times a year
Where: Choose from over 25 LA beaches
How: Complete the online application (Note: Adopt-A-Beach groups must have at least 15 participants)
Commitment: Complete three cleanups within the year
Club Heal the Bay
What: Connect your school environmental club with Heal the Bay to earn service hours and special perks
Where: Any LA-area middle or high school with an existing environmental club
How: Register online
Commitment: Participate in a minimum of three Heal the Bay volunteer events per school year
School Field Trips
What: Hands-on learning for K-5 classroom enrichment at Heal the Bay Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier
When: 2-Hour field trips can be hosted Monday through Friday at 10am or Noon
Where: Heal the Bay Aquarium
Request a Speaker
What: Invite an environmental science educator to deliver an interactive, fact-filled presentation virtually on the story of Southern California’s water system and the causes of–and solutions to–marine pollution
When: Year-round
Where: Anywhere in LA County
**Due to COVID-19 related school orders, we are now offering Ocean Pollution and Know the Flow presentations virtually. Feel free to sign up and write “Virtual Request” in one of the description fields.
***If you are a teacher or parent looking for additional education content for your kids, check out our new Knowledge Drops webinars.
Suits on the Sand
What: An educational presentation followed by a beach cleanup to build your business team’s morale and enhance your company’s environmental commitment
Where: Cleanups are held at a variety of beaches in LA County
Corporate and Foundation Giving
What: Heal the Bay relies on the generosity and commitment of its corporate and foundation supporters every day. Grants, sponsorships and partnerships make it possible for us to pursue our important mission of making California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy, and clean.
Where: Anywhere
When: Year-round
Give Money
Short on time but still want to make a difference? Consider making a financial gift to Heal the Bay. With 75 cents of every donated dollar supporting science-based advocacy, grassroots community outreach, and award-winning educational programs, your contribution is a smart investment in a cleaner, bluer L.A.
Give Voice
Share a post, send a Tweet, and raise awareness for plastic reduction efforts and ocean and watershed health awareness. Our advocates always move the needle.
We’re part of Reusable LA, a group of organizations working to resolve LA’s plastic pollution and champion a reusable culture. Get involved:
- 📩 Sign up for email alerts
- Join our Facebook Group
- Retweet this Tweet
- Like this Instagram post
Volunteer Resources
Marine Debris Database
Curious about what kinds of trash we find at beach cleanups in Los Angeles County? The Marine Debris Database gives an inside look at the epidemic of single-use plastic pollution, cigarette butts, and more. We have more than 4,000,000 pieces of localized trash data points, so dig in! Another useful resource for on-the-go trash collection and tracking is the CleanSwell app.
Beach Report Card
Search for the latest water quality information at your favorite beach using the Beach Report Card — an app that provides A-to-F water quality grades for more than 650 beaches along the Pacific Coast. Similarly, the River Report Card rates dozens of local freshwater recreation areas in Los Angeles County. Scientists at Heal the Bay also release a yearly report on local water quality trends.
Featured Volunteers
Myra Blas
“I volunteer with Heal the Bay because I really admire the work they do for and with the community. Educating people and getting them to participate in protecting the environment is really hard work! Being hands-on with animals has been such a special opportunity. Since day one as a volunteer, I was able to participate in everything that goes into taking care of all the animals in the Aquarium.” – Myra is a Heal the Bay Aquarium aquarist volunteer.
Elizabeth J. Cron
“Going through Heal the Bay Speaker’s Bureau Training was an amazing experience. I learned about things I was never taught growing up and I ‘graduated’ training feeling beyond inspired to share my knowledge with anyone ready to listen! I love speaking with brilliant kids in schools, meeting fellow volunteers and soaking up everything I can from the scientists and policy pushers that work in the organization.” – Elizabeth is involved in several Heal the Bay volunteer programs: Speakers Bureau and Beach Captains.
Esther An
“I volunteer with Heal the Bay because it is a group that genuinely cares about amplifying the voices of our community. The people at Heal the Bay do incredible work by bringing people together and taking collective action to solve issues that affect every single one of us. I have met some of the most passionate, kind-hearted people who envision a better world that we can all participate in, and they inspire me to raise my voice for the people around me. I am grateful for every chance to work with them.” – Esther is involved in several Heal the Bay volunteer programs: Aquarium, Speakers Bureau, Beach Captains, and Wednesday Warriors.
Paula Shuman
“I love meeting the public and helping them appreciate the wonders of our Bay! I also love the looks on the faces of visitors when you tell them how sea stars eat and that kelp is in our ice cream!” – Paula has volunteered at Heal the Bay Aquarium since 2009.
Brenton Spies
“When I walked through the doors of Heal the Bay Aquarium, I was full of passion for the ocean, though not sure where that could lead. The Aquarium inspired my desire to be involved in conservation and marine science and it was here that I finally became aware of the scientist and educator within. The Aquarium was the catalyst that motivated me to pursue degrees in marine science.” – Brenton was an Aquarium volunteer.
Terumi Toyoshima
“Heal the Bay gives me hope for a cleaner ocean, a cleaner planet, a better community, a better me. It has made me realize whatever I do–at the beach, at home, at work, on the street miles from the beach, or anywhere–affects the health of the ocean. Also, I like that even though we have huge events with hundreds of people, I’ve had the chance to meet wonderful people and make great friends.” – Terumi has been a Volunteer Beach Captain since 2004.
Zola Berger-Schmitz
“Heal the Bay inspired me to pursue my interest in environmental activism and then gave me the tools to mobilize my peers. Through Heal the Bay programs and training I developed important public speaking and leadership skills and was empowered to become an environmental youth advocate.” – Zola has been a Heal the Bay volunteer since she was 12.
Kelly Villasor
“Today we went to Eaton Canyon and picked up a bucket’s worth of trash. Of the many things, we had a few towels, gum wrappers, and of course, plastic water bottles. We also saw orange peels. Just because it’s biodegradable, doesn’t mean you can still carelessly throw it on the ground. It still takes about a whole 6 months for orange peels to decompose. During that time it can attract unwanted bugs and creatures you wouldn’t want to encounter on your hike.”- Kelly is involved in several Heal the Bay volunteer programs: Speakers Bureau, Street Fleet, and Beach Captains.