By Karisa Arterbury | Director of Operations + Development (volunteer)
Dear Ocean Blue Project Supporters,
As we reflect on the second quarter of 2026, Ocean Blue Project is proud to share an exciting new chapter in our mission to protect and restore our nation’s waterways and marine ecosystems. Thanks to your continued support, our work is growing in both scope and impact.
Formerly known as the Plastic Disaster Relief Program, our newly expanded Marine Conservation Program reflects Ocean Blue Project’s broader vision and evolving funding priorities. As our organization continues to grow, so does our commitment to addressing the health of entire aquatic ecosystems through a more comprehensive approach to conservation, restoration, and community engagement.
The Marine Conservation Program now supports initiatives including plastic and marine debris removal, oyster reef restoration, seagrass and submerged aquatic vegetation restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement, water quality improvement, and community conservation and environmental education. This expanded focus allows us to create more resilient ecosystems while continuing the direct-action cleanup efforts that have long defined our work.
With Ocean Blue Project’s East Coast Headquarters now located along Virginia’s Northern Neck, we are expanding our conservation efforts throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with particular focus on the Potomac River and its major tributaries. This exciting geographic expansion strengthens our ability to serve coastal and inland communities alike while advancing meaningful restoration projects in one of the nation’s most ecologically important regions.
At the same time, we remain deeply committed to cleanup and restoration efforts in communities across the United States, including Hawaii’s Kamilo Beach, also known as “Plastic Beach”. Support for mainland initiatives also continues to grow and shape Ocean Blue Project’s future conservation priorities, enabling us to respond to local environmental needs with innovation, partnership, and action.
Our long-term commitment to Hawaii also remains strong. We continue to seek funding for vital restoration and cleanup work in Hawaii, including the globally significant challenge of Kamilo Beach, also known as Plastic Beach. This site remains an important part of our five-year vision, and we are steadfast in our goal to bring meaningful restoration and relief to one of the world’s most heavily impacted marine debris zones.
This next phase of our work represents more than a name change. It marks the evolution of a program designed not only to remove harmful debris, but also to restore habitat, improve water quality, engage communities, and build a healthier future for marine life and people alike. Your support makes this possible.
As we move forward, we are energized by the opportunities ahead and grateful to have you with us. Together, we are building cleaner waterways, stronger habitats, and more resilient coastal communities from the Chesapeake Bay to Hawaii and beyond.
With gratitude,
The Ocean Blue Project Team
By Karisa Arterbury | Director of Operations + Development (volunteer)
By Karisa Arterbury | Director of Operations + Development (volunteer)
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
