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
Kiawah Island Litter Sweep
Saturday, December 21, 9–11 a.m. | 876 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island
Kiawah Conservancy and the South Carolina Aquarium are hosting monthly litter sweeps at Mingo Point. Volunteers will choose a sweep location on the island, disperse for their cleanup and then return to drop off supplies and share their impact. Get involved to keep litter and plastic pollution from entering our environment.
Sign up for sweep reminders HERE.
New Year’s Day Post-Holiday Sweep
Wednesday, January 1, 8–9 a.m. | 1 Center Street, Folly Beach
Following Folly Beach’s first ever New Year’s Eve drone show and infamous Flip Flop Drop, there will be more than just footprints left behind! We’ll team up with Toby Turtle to clean up the debris following the holiday festivities. Join us in front of the Tides Hotel on Center Street to sign in and pick up supplies before spreading out to clean up holiday debris before it enters the waterways. No advance registration required.
Charleston Green Drinks: Green Social
Thursday, January 9, 6–8 p.m. | 289 Huger Street, Charleston
Meet at Palmetto Brewing Company to learn about how Green Drinks is hitting the road in 2025! It is going to be an exciting year partnering with a variety of local conservation events.
Learn more HERE.
Conestee Cleanup in Greenville
Saturday, January 11, 9–11 a.m. | 840 Mauldin Road, Greenville
Enjoy the stunning Conestee Nature Preserve and help keep it that way by removing litter and plastic pollution from the watershed! Meet staff and volunteers from Conestee Nature Preserve, Keep Greenville Beautiful and the South Carolina Aquarium before heading out on the trail. All supplies and instructions will be provided to conduct a litter sweep with data collection.
Learn more HERE.
Isle of Palms Beach Sweep
Monday, January 13, 4:30–5:30 p.m. | 1100 Block Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms
Dress for the wintry weather and join us for a sunset beach sweep. Sign in and pick up supplies at the public beach walkover where we will provide instructions for volunteers to participate in a litter sweep with data collection. No advance registration is required.
Kiawah Island Litter Sweep
Saturday, January 18, 9–11 a.m. | 876 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island
Kiawah Conservancy and the South Carolina Aquarium are hosting monthly litter sweeps at Mingo Point. Volunteers will choose a sweep location on the island, disperse for their cleanup and then return to drop off supplies and share their impact. Get involved to keep litter and plastic pollution from entering our environment.
Sign up for sweep reminders HERE.
Toby Turtle Post-Festival Sweep
Sunday, January 19, 2–3 p.m. | 1 Center Street, Folly Beach
Join us and Toby Turtle to clean up Folly Beach’s streets and waterfront the day after Taste of Folly! Meet in front of the Tides Hotel on Center Street to sign in and pick up supplies before cleaning up litter along the business district roadsides. No advance registration required.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Litter Sweep and Food Drive
Monday, January 20, 2–4 p.m. | Harmon Field, Charleston
Join our annual MLK Day of Service litter sweep and food drive at Harmon Field in Charleston. We’ll clean up the roadsides and along Gadsden Creek saltmarsh to remove debris before it reaches the Ashley River. We’ll meet at Harmon Field near the intersection of Hagood Avenue and Fishburne Street before getting started! Street parking is available throughout the area. Please bring a nonperishable food item to donate, a reusable water bottle for yourself and wear closed-toe shoes or mud boots. All supplies and instructions will be provided to conduct a litter sweep with data collection.
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.