NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher to host annual back-to-school beach cleanup

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is inviting the community to kick off the new school year by giving back to the environment during its annual Back-to-School Beach Cleanup on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The cleanup will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at Ocean Front Park in Kure Beach. The event is hosted in partnership with the Town of Kure Beach and encourages volunteers of all ages to help remove litter from the shoreline while promoting ocean conservation.

Organizers invite participants to show off their school spirit by wearing apparel representing their favorite school. The volunteer with the most spirited outfit will receive a “green” prize.

“These beach cleanups are a great way to begin the school year by keeping the health of our ocean top of mind,” said Laine Cafferty, assistant events coordinator at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. “We hope that by starting the school year with a green mindset, all of us working together can make a difference in protecting species and ecosystems.”

The Town of Kure Beach will provide free parking for volunteers, while the Aquarium will supply reusable gloves, litter pickers and collection bags.

Participants are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and are asked to avoid bringing single-use plastic items such as disposable bags, gloves, bottles or coffee cups.

Volunteers can register for the event and take the Aquarium’s Green Pledge before participating.

Although the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher remains closed for its ongoing renovation and expansion project, officials say community events like the beach cleanup continue to support the Aquarium’s mission of connecting people with nature and inspiring conservation.

The Aquarium is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and regularly hosts educational and environmental stewardship events throughout the year.