Join a cohort of dedicated conservationists, citizen scientists and volunteers as we work to protect water, wildlife and wild places. From litter sweeps to workshops on scientific and social topics, there are ways for everyone to get involved in your community and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Isle of Palms Beach Sweeps
Monday, April 6 and 20, 5:30–7 p.m. | 1100 Block on Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms
Join our twice-monthly beach sweeps on Isle of Palms with the IOP Cleanup Crew. Welcome sessions will be held for new volunteers from 5:30–6 p.m. at the front patio where detailed instructions will be given on the data collection processes before supply pick up. Returning volunteers can sign in and pick up supplies at the back patio. No advance registration is required.
Toby’s Earth Month Spring Sweep
Sunday, April 12, 2–4 p.m. | Various locations throughout Folly Beach
Join us and Toby Turtle as we celebrate Earth Month at this annual island-wide litter sweep on Folly Beach! We’ll work together to keep litter and plastic pollution off our streets and out of our waterways just ahead of sea turtle nesting season.
Sign up for a sweep location HERE.
Kiawah Island Litter Sweep
Saturday, April 18, 9–11 a.m. | 867 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island
Join us and Conservancy of the Sea Islands (formerly known as Kiawah Conservancy) at Mingo Point for our next litter sweep in 2026! This is a great opportunity to enjoy this beautiful community and help keep litter and plastic pollution from entering our waterways.
Sign up for sweep reminders HERE.
Cherry Point Boat Landing Sweep
Sunday, April 19, 2–3:30 p.m. | Cherry Point Road, Wadmalaw Island
Bring the whole family to this beautiful location for a litter sweep hosted by the South Carolina Aquarium and Keep Wadmalaw Beautiful. Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle and dress for the weather (with closed-toe shoes that can get dirty). We’ll meet at the entrance to the Cherry Point Boat Landing before spreading out to remove litter from the marsh, road and parking areas. All supplies and instructions will be provided to conduct a litter sweep with data collection.
Learn more HERE.
Earth Day Gadsden Creek Cleanup
Wednesday, April 22, 2–4 p.m. | 55 Hagood Avenue, Charleston
Celebrate Earth Day with friends, family or co-workers by cleaning up this urban wetland and roadway in downtown Charleston! Meet staff and volunteers from the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, Friends of Gadsden Creek and the South Carolina Aquarium before setting out to clean up this historic, urban community!
Register HERE.
Conservation in Action
- Capers Island Cleanup Excursion
- Chicora Changers Beach Sweep at Isle of Palms
- Tidal Creek Excavation with SCDNR SCORE
- Folly Beach Litter Sweep Event
- King Tide Flooding Measurement at SeaRise Sign in Charleston
- Marsh Grass Planting in Maryville
- Shem Creek Litter Sweep with J. B. Edwards Elementary
- Saltmarsh Sweep with Charleston Waterkeeper
- MLK Day of Service Litter Sweep and Food Drive
- Liberty Square Litter Sweep
Your Data Matters!
Want to be a true citizen scientist? Litter data is critical in identifying the most problematic debris and can be a powerful tool in helping to develop solutions for reducing trash. We encourage litter sweep participants to log the items they pick up from land and water. Help be part of the solution by using the Litter Journal, a project in the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app, when you sweep in your community.
The South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.