Keeping our coast clean starts with our community.

At the Topsail Aquarium, we regularly organize beach and salt marsh cleanups throughout the Surf City area to help protect the wildlife and habitats that make our coast so special. Every piece of litter removed from the shoreline is one less hazard for sea turtles, shorebirds, fish, and countless other marine animals that call our beaches and marshes home.

Plastic debris, discarded fishing line, food wrappers, and other trash don't just spoil the beauty of our coastline, they can entangle wildlife, be mistaken for food, and eventually break down into harmful microplastics that persist in the environment for decades. By working together, we can make a real difference in the health of our local ecosystems.

Whether you're a lifelong local, a visitor spending the weekend at the beach, or someone looking to give back to the community, we'd love to have you join us. Our cleanups are family-friendly, educational, and a great way to meet others who care about protecting North Carolina's coast.

If you'd like to participate in our next cleanup, contact us to be added to our volunteer list and receive information about upcoming events.

Together, we can help keep Surf City's beaches and marshes clean, one cleanup at a time.