Keeping the Coastline Clean, One Beach at a Time

Over the past year, Within the Whale has taken me all over Maine, helping people step inside a whale and learn about the ocean in a hands‑on way. But education doesn’t end when Chunk deflates—protecting our marine environment is a 24x7 endeavor. That’s why I’ve adopted a beach through the Blue Ocean Society’s Adopt‑a‑Beach Program and begun hosting monthly cleanups at Fort Popham in Phippsburg.

Our first cleanup on May 24 was a wonderful start. In just two hours, we removed nearly three pounds of trash from the shoreline while collecting data that contributes to long‑term marine debris research.

These cleanups are simple, meaningful ways to make a real difference. Each session includes a short presentation on local marine debris issues, followed by small‑group data collection and a final weigh‑in of everything we’ve gathered. Kids love it, adults learn something new, and every piece of trash we remove is one less item drifting back into the Gulf of Maine.

If you’d like to join an upcoming cleanup, I’d love to have you there. Bring reusable gloves, dress in layers appropriate for the weather forecast that day, and come ready to help protect the ocean we all care about.

Just reach out to me at info@withinthewhale.com to get involved.

Book a Visit

Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.