Waves of thanks to the 13,825 volunteers who made a difference.

January 19 – Clean-Up, Clean-Out

To kick off the year, January’s Wave will match several thousand volunteers with the businesses, homes, and townships that need help the most.

February 23– Helping Hands

February’s program will pair teams of volunteers with community areas that still need a few extra hands.  Want to register a marsh, wetland or park cleanup?  Or a neighborhood street or playground cleanup?

March 23 – Bringing Back our Ecosystems

Switching gears from human communities to the natural community, March’s program will target a few of the biggest parks in NY and NJ to clear out debris, replant vegetation, and restore ecosystems in woods, dunes, and marshes.

April 27 – 28th Annual Beach Sweeps

This Earth Month, Clean Ocean Action will hold our 28th Annual Beach Sweeps.  After a winter of recovery, getting our beaches clean for the summer tourism season is more important than ever.

May 18 – Back to the Beach

The week before Memorial Day will be a “soft open” for many towns and businesses; COA will be coordinating parties, concerts, fundraisers and family events to kick off the summer season for locals.

June 22 – Healthy Waterways

For the three summer month days of action, programs will focus on three major elements of community resiliency: healthy waterways, water conservation and energy efficiency.

July 20 – Water Conservation

For the three summer month days of action, programs will focus on three major elements of community resiliency: healthy waterways, water conservation and energy efficiency.

August 17 – Energy Efficiency

For the three summer month days of action, programs will focus on three major elements of community resiliency: healthy waterways, water conservation and energy efficiency.

September 21 – Elections and Long-Term Recovery

The 2013 elections in the NY/NJ region will affect both long- and short-term recovery, so, for this day of action, COA will be working with candidates, media and punditry, to engage and educate  citizens of NY and NJ on the politics of the environment.

October 19 – 28th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps

For the 28th Annual Fall Sweeps, beach clean-ups across the region will be an opportunity for thousands and thousands of volunteers to come together before the 1-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and finally close the book on debris removal.

November 13-15–Education

During the three days of this Wave of Action, COA, with the help of teachers, scientists, and experts across the region, will go to schools, colleges, and community forums to educate and inform about climate change, coastal resiliency, storms, and a greener future. To share stories about November, contact us, or share a story online at #ForTheShore or on Facebook!

December 7 – Waves of Action Conference

After a year of service, action, and volunteerism, a conference will highlight innovative projects and active volunteers, discuss the state of our shores one year post-Sandy, and look ahead to 2014.

*www.fortheshore.org is hosted and run by Clean Ocean Action – an ocean advocacy non-profit fighting for a clean NY/NJ ocean*