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
Cherry Point Boat Landing Sweep
Sunday, May 4, 2–3:30 p.m. | Cherry Point Road, Wadmalaw Island
Bring the 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 shoes that can get a little dirty). We’ll gather at the entrance to 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.
Isle of Palms Spring Beach Sweeps
Monday, May 5 and May 19, 5:30–7 p.m. | 1100 block on Ocean Blvd, Isle of Palms
Spring beach sweeps continue twice per month in preparation for the summer season! We’ll begin with welcome sessions for new volunteers from 5:30–6 p.m. before heading out to sweep the beach for litter. Sign in and pick up supplies at the public beach walkover. We will provide instructions for volunteers to participate in a litter sweep with data collection. No advance registration is required.
Charleston Green Drinks: Green Social
Thursday, May 8, 6–8 p.m. | 289 Huger Street, Charleston
Meet at Palmetto Brewing Company for casual socializing with members of the Charleston conservation scene. Enjoy informal conversations with environmentally-minded community members and connect, collaborate and learn about ways to get involved in local conservation activities.
Learn more HERE.
Toby Turtle Mid–May Sweep
Monday, May 12, 4–5 p.m. | 201 East Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach
Join us and Toby Turtle to clean up Folly Beach as sea turtle nesting season gets underway! Meet us at the 2nd St. East public beach access before spreading out in both directions along the beachfront to pick up litter. Supplies will be provided and no advance registration is required.
Kiawah Island Litter Sweep
Saturday, May 17, 9–11 a.m. | 876 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island
Join us and Kiawah Conservancy at Mingo Point for monthly litter sweeps in 2025! This is a great opportunity to enjoy this beautiful community and help keep litter and plastic pollution from entering our waterways.
Sign up for Kiawah Island Litter Sweep reminders HERE.
Toby’s Post-Memorial Day Sweep
Tuesday, May 27, 10–11 a.m. | 201 East Arctic Avenue, Folly Beach
Let’s clean up Folly Beach together following this busy holiday! Meet us at the 2nd St. East public beach access before spreading out in both directions along the beachfront to pick up litter. Supplies will be provided and no advance registration is required.
South Carolina Aquarium Good Catch Dinner With Hank’s Seafood Restaurant
Friday, June 20, 6–9 p.m. | Hank’s Seafood Restaurant, 10 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Expand your palate and your seafood knowledge at our first Good Catch Dinner of the year, hosted by Hank’s Seafood Restaurant! Indulge in a specially curated local and sustainably sourced meal with an optional wine pairing while diving into the origins of each course with Executive Chef Tim Richardson and Good Catch Coordinator Mara Duke Blatt. This event will be held in the Social Hall (located beside the restaurant); wine, beer and cocktails will be available for purchase.
Reserve your spot 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.