Adopt a Beach, Protect Our Coast

Our coastline is facing a growing threat, but a local program is proving that community action can make a real difference. Surfrider’s Adopt a Beach program is inspiring locals to care for their stretch of sand and turn the tide on pollution.

Launched in February, the Adopt a Beach program by Surfrider Foundation is directly addressing the issue of coastal pollution across the Northern Beaches. With the support of dedicated volunteers and local business partners, the program is engaging the community to care for their beaches, understand the impact of litter, and help drive change from the ground up.

Through monthly cleanups across nine popular beach locations, the results so far have been both inspiring and alarming. Nearly 1,000 volunteers have turned up to help, collecting more than one tonne of waste in just eight one-hour sessions. The scale of pollution is significant, but the community response has been just as powerful.

Importantly, most of the rubbish collected is land-based, meaning it comes from local activity and can be prevented. Every piece picked up is one less hazard for marine life, one less eye-sore in the dunes, and one more step toward a cleaner, safer coastline.

The program isn’t just about picking up litter. It is collecting detailed data on what kinds of waste are being found and where. This helps identify problem areas and allows Surfrider to work with Council and government on smarter, more effective strategies to prevent pollution at its source.

A full impact report will be presented to Northern Beaches Council at the end of the year, and early discussions are already underway. With strong community momentum and business backing, there is a real opportunity to build long-term change.

From local cafés to surf shops and residents of all ages, the support has been widespread. And the message is simple: enjoy the view, and take your litter too.

“This isn’t a future threat, it’s a present reality. But it’s a fixable one.”

Get involved. Join a community beach cleanup, adopt your local beach or spread the word.

Visit surfrider.org.au to learn more and follow @surfrideraus to stay updated on dates, locations and the impact so far.

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