
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:
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- Medium
- Heavy
Adopt-a-Beach
About: Our Adopt-a-Beach program gives individuals and households the opportunity to learn and participate in the conservation of our natural and coastal resources.
What: Commit to showing some TLC to your favorite outdoor space and receive a virtual presentation from Heal the Bay’s Speakers Bureau before your first cleanup as well as educational resources.
Where: Choose your neighborhood, beach, park, creek, or trail near you in Los Angeles County, California. Get started by completing our online application.
Commitment: Complete three cleanups within a year and get an official Certificate of Completion.
Volunteer Orientation
What: Attend one of our 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 February 8, May 10, August 9, and October 11, 2021
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
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 offering Ocean Pollution and Know the Flow presentations virtually. To sign up, write “Virtual Request” in one of the form fields. If you are a teacher or parent looking for educational content for your kids, check out our Knowledge Drops webinars.
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 offering Ocean Pollution and Know the Flow presentations virtually. To sign up, write “Virtual Request” in one of the form fields. If you are a teacher or parent looking for educational content for your kids, check out our 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.
Sign our petition: don’t let EPA rollbacks threaten public health during COVID-19. Now is NOT the time for blanket rollbacks of clean air and clean water regulations.
- Add your name to our petition
- Learn more about the issue
- 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.