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Adopt-a-Beach™

Adopt-a-Beach™ is the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ premier volunteer program, with some 11,000 participants ranging from individuals and families to schools and businesses.

Our Adopt-a-Beach™ Program is more than just a beach sweep. Teams conduct litter removal and monitoring, and also complete a beach health assessment form that includes science-based observation and testing. Information collected by the teams is entered into our Adopt-a-Beach™ online system and is used to educate the public, share with local beach authorities and improve our beaches.

Were you a team leader prior to July 2011?
• Welcome to the new Adopt-a-Beach™ online system > 

Want to view and download results from Adopt-a-Beach™ visits?
• See "Historical Data" in our new system >

New to Adopt-a-Beach?™
• Adopt-a-Beach™ Program overview >
• Become a team leader >
• View our training schedule >
• Learn about our September 2012 Adopt-a-Beach™ Event >
• Volunteer for an existing team >
• New! Tier 2 Program for volunteers seeking advanced training >

Hosting beach cleanups in Michigan and Illinois since 1991 as part of the International Coastal Cleanup, the Alliance officially launched the Adopt-a-Beach™ program in 2003 and has since broadened its reach to each of the five Great Lakes.

Today seven of the eight Great Lakes states -- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin -- boast teams of dedicated Adopt-a-Beach™ volunteers working to improve local beach health.

Learn what Adopt-a-Beach™ is doing in your state and find contact information for your state's outreach coordinator.