Opportunities From: Galveston Bay Foundation

Track the tide. Tally the debris.

Join Galveston Bay Foundation and our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to document the debris that reaches our shoreline.

This is more than a cleanup. This is community science and the data you help collect will tell the story of where debris comes from and how it moves through the Bay.

As a Marine Debris Survey Volunteer, you will:

Collect and remove trash from designated shoreline survey plots Help measure and mark survey areas using simple field tools Sort and identify debris by type to support NOAA data collection Record findings alongside staff and trained volunteers Assist with loading and unloading supplies

No experience needed. Staff will guide you through each step of the survey process.

This role involves walking on sand, mud, or uneven shoreline terrain while working outdoors. Dress for the weather and bring water.

Minors welcome. Volunteers under 18 must be registered with a parent or guardian and accompanied by an adult chaperone.

Your effort helps turn today’s data into tomorrow’s solutions for the Bay.

Track the tide. Tally the debris.

Join Galveston Bay Foundation and our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to document the debris that reaches our shoreline.

This is more than a cleanup. This is community science and the data you help collect will tell the story of where debris comes from and how it moves through the Bay.

As a Marine Debris Survey Volunteer, you will:

Collect and remove trash from designated shoreline survey plots Help measure and mark survey areas using simple field tools Sort and identify debris by type to support NOAA data collection Record findings alongside staff and trained volunteers Assist with loading and unloading supplies

No experience needed. Staff will guide you through each step of the survey process.

This role involves walking on sand, mud, or uneven shoreline terrain while working outdoors. Dress for the weather and bring water.

Minors welcome. Volunteers under 18 must be registered with a parent or guardian and accompanied by an adult chaperone.

Your effort helps turn today’s data into tomorrow’s solutions for the Bay.

What we throw away doesn’t go away.

Even the smallest pieces of trash can have a ripple effect on marine life, communities, and future generations. As the second most productive estuary ↗ in the United States, Galveston Bay supports both wildlife and the people who depend on it.

This cleanup is part of the regional Trash Free Gulf initiative ↗, a collaborative effort to reduce marine debris and protect coastal ecosystems across the Gulf.

As a shoreline cleanup volunteer, you and your team will:

Use gloves, trash grabbers, buckets, and bags to collect and remove litter from the shoreline Participate in a litter audit Work in tandem at a site where we are conducting a Marine Debris Survey, helping remove debris after the survey has been completed in random transects If you encounter them, help remove small plastic pellets called nurdles, which are especially common near the check-in area

No experience is necessary. We will show you what to do.

Restrooms are available nearby at the park. Be prepared to stand and walk for over an hour. Come prepared with a reusable water bottle and appropriate outdoor clothing.

NOTE: All minors must be accompanied by a registered parent/guardian or approved chaperone over the age of 18. Parents or guardians must register and complete a waiver for participants under age 18.

By removing marine debris from the shoreline, you help protect wildlife, improve water quality, and keep Galveston Bay healthier for people and nature.

Site Map & Where to Meet Why This Work Matters

Debris poses a serious threat to this ecosystem. Trash that enters the Bay can:

Entangle or be ingested by wildlife Damage fragile coastal habitats Block oxygen from reaching the water Release harmful chemicals that impact animals and people

Learn more about marine debris prevention and recovery through Trash Free Gulf ↗ and visit texasseagrant.org ↗ for more information on monofilament recycling.

The Trash Free Gulf campaign, a program of the Gulf Trust, is presented by H-E-B's Our Texas, Our Future