June 2025 — United States — The Clean Coast Initiative Foundation (CCIF) is spearheading a transformative national effort to clean up chemical and plastic pollution from the waters that define America’s landscapes and livelihoods. From Pacific beaches to Atlantic harbors, from Gulf marshes to the Great Lakes, CCIF is restoring the nation’s most vital aquatic ecosystems—powered not by politics, but by people.
With a presence in all 30 U.S. states that border major bodies of water—including oceans, gulfs, the Great Lakes, and significant freshwater rivers—CCIF blends science, community mobilization, and ecological restoration into a unified campaign for cleaner, healthier coasts.
“Our approach is unapologetically grassroots and science-first,” said Elise Jordan, Executive Director of the Clean Coast Initiative Foundation. “We don’t wait for permission to do what needs to be done. Every coastline, lake, and river deserves action now.”
States Included in the CCIF Initiative
CCIF is active in states touching major water bodies, including:
Atlantic Coast: ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL
Gulf Coast: FL (Gulf side), AL, MS, LA, TX
Pacific Coast: CA, OR, WA, AK, HI
Great Lakes Region: MN, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH, PA, NY
These regions face escalating threats from plastic waste, oil-based runoff, industrial chemicals, and degraded habitats. CCIF operates with urgency and independence, supported by a national network of volunteers, scientists, and environmentally conscious partners.
Beyond the Shoreline: A Holistic Restoration Model
While beach cleanups remain a high-impact and visually symbolic aspect of CCIF’s mission, the organization has built a comprehensive ecological strategy to fight pollution and restore water health:
Oyster Reef Restoration – Along Gulf and Atlantic shores, CCIF teams rebuild natural oyster beds using sustainably sourced shell material and carefully cultivated oyster strains. These filter feeders clean the water and provide habitat for dozens of marine species.
Freshwater Mussel and Sponge Rehabilitation – In Great Lakes tributaries and key river systems, native mussels and sponges are being reintroduced to improve water clarity and nutrient balance. These quiet powerhouses are natural biofilters, often overlooked yet critical to ecosystem recovery.
Wetland Cleanup and Detox Zones – In coastal marshes and riverside floodplains, CCIF cleans up synthetic debris and reintroduces native vegetation. These areas naturally absorb toxins and provide flood resilience while serving as nurseries for fish and bird populations.
Urban Plastic Interception – The foundation installs netted debris catchers at stormwater exits in heavily polluted cities. Each unit removes thousands of pounds of floating waste before it can
reach open water.
All of this is documented through rigorous data tracking, enabling CCIF to analyze what pollutants are most common in each region and publish open-source environmental impact reports accessible to the public.
Powered by People, Not Politics CCIF’s mission is powered entirely by individuals, businesses, scientists, schools, and grassroots supporters who believe that environmental restoration shouldn’t wait for bureaucratic red tape or legislative consensus.
“Our model is built on action, not approval,” said Jordan. “We connect everyday citizens with direct, meaningful opportunities to restore the places they love—without depending on anyone else to do it for them.”
The foundation collaborates with universities, independent labs, local nonprofits, Indigenous communities, youth organizations, and coastal engineers, combining community knowledge with cutting-edge environmental science.
Regional Highlights
Pacific Northwest: In Puget Sound, CCIF teams recently completed the removal of hundreds of derelict crab pots and plastic debris, alongside the replanting of eelgrass critical to salmon and orca survival.
Great Lakes: In Ohio and Michigan, freshwater mussel restoration projects are now cleaning over 10 million gallons of water per day and supporting fish populations devastated by decades of chemical exposure.
Southeast Coast: In Georgia and South Carolina, CCIF volunteers are restoring oyster beds that were once wiped out by industrial runoff, now acting as natural breakwaters and biodiversity hubs.
Texas and Louisiana: Along the Gulf, CCIF crews are rebuilding barrier islands and reestablishing wetland buffers using recovered material and native plantings—protecting communities while filtering pollutants.
Real Change. Real People.
Volunteers are the heart of the Clean Coast Initiative. Whether you’re hauling trash off a beach, planting aquatic vegetation, monitoring sponge colonies, or collecting data on microplastics,
your time makes a direct impact.
Every CCIF initiative is designed to be transparent, measurable, and replicable—so that local heroes can take ownership of the health of their waterways and see the tangible difference they’re making.
How to Get Involved
There are multiple ways to support or participate in CCIF’s work:
Join a Cleanup – Search volunteer events by ZIP code at CleanCoast.us
Adopt-a-Coastline – Organize your own recurring cleanup or monitoring program
Sponsor a Region – Businesses can directly support projects in regions where they operate
Learn and Share – CCIF offers public science webinars and free digital learning kits for classrooms
Donate – 100% of contributions go toward restoration work and equipment
“Every sponge we plant, every oyster we reseed, every pound of plastic we remove—those are acts of defiance against apathy and pollution,” Jordan said. “We’re not just cleaning up the coast—we’re restoring hope, health, and resilience to every corner of the country.”
About the Clean Coast Initiative Foundation
The Clean Coast Initiative Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to eliminating chemical and plastic pollution from U.S. waterways through hands-on cleanups, ecological restoration,
and community-led action. Operating in all U.S. coastal states, the foundation builds scalable environmental programs rooted in science, data, and public participation.
To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit www.CleanCoast.us
