Volunteer
Looking to get involved as a Heal the Bay volunteer? Look no further! Sign up for our next Volunteer Orientation.
Coastal Cleanup Day 2019
We offer a variety of cleanups in Los Angeles County for individuals, groups and companies, but our Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 21 is the biggest one of them all.
Wednesday Warriors
An office odyssey every week: Creative projects, data entry duties, supplies and inventory support, and so much more with Heal the Bay and Aquarium staff!
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: 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of every month except December.
Where: A different L.A. 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 staff
When: Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
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: Monthly.
Where: Heal the Bay HQ.
Internships
What: Heal the Bay interns are a special fleet of ocean advocates who are constantly learn new skills while supporting Heal the Bay’s events and campaigns.
Where: Heal the Bay HQ, Heal the Bay Aquarium, and all over L.A. County.
When: Year-round.
Nothin’ But Sand
What: Our monthly all-ages beach cleanup bonanza.
When: 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of every month except December.
Where: A different L.A. 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 on the story of Southern California’s water system and the causes of–and solutions to–marine pollution.
When: Year-round.
Where: Throughout Greater L.A.
Adopt-A-Beach
What: Show some TLC to an L.A. beach of your group’s choice by cleaning it up three times a year.
Where: Choose from over 25 L.A. beaches.
How: Complete the online application. Note: AAB 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 L.A.-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 on the story of Southern California’s water system and the causes of–and solutions to–marine pollution.
When: Year-round.
Where: Throughout Greater L.A.
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 Santa Monica Beach.
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 the coastal waters and inland watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean.
Where: Los Angeles County.
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, or sign our Plastic Petition to spread ocean and watershed awareness and love. Our advocates always move the needle.
- Share this Facebook post
- 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? Dig into the Marine Debris Database for an inside look at the epidemic of single-use plastic pollution, cigarette butts and more.
Beach Report Card
Search for the latest water quality information at your favorite beach using the Beach Report Card — a simple, yet comprehensive app that provides A-to-F water quality grades for more than 650 beaches along the Pacific Coast.
Featured Volunteers
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.
Brenton Spies
“When I walked through the doors of the Santa Monica Pier 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, an Aquarium volunteer and nature photographer, is working on his doctorate in biology at UCLA.
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.