Join the Movement to Protect Our Coastlines

Since 2020, ORCA volunteers have removed over 58,000 lbs of litter from Rhode Island and Connecticut beaches. Be part of the change.

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Our Story

Our mission is to preserve and protect coastlines while inspiring people to take action for a sustainable future. Through impactful, hands-on beach cleanups and collaborations with businesses, schools, and organizations, ORCA works to create cleaner beaches, healthier oceans, and stronger communities. More than just cleanups, ORCA is a movement of people coming together to ensure our coastlines remain vibrant and thriving for generations to come.

Upcoming Events

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Join ORCA, Connecticut Green Bank, CCAR, and Connecticut Innovations for a beach cleanup at the Fort Hale Fishing Pier on April 24 in New Haven, CT. The Cleanup starts at 1:00 pm. All the cleanup supplies will be provided by ORCA. Please dress for the weather. Arrive at 12:30 for some pizza courtesy of CT Green Bank and Connecticut Innovations.

This is the part you don’t always see.

After every cleanup, everything gets sorted, and weighed.

Because every piece matters.

60,000+ lbs removed… and counting.

#OceanCleanup #RhodeIsland #ProtectTheOcean #SustainableCoast #CommunityImpact ORCA

Love was in the air… and on the shoreline.

This Valentine’s Day balloon was a sweet reminder of how celebrations can travel farther than we expect. What starts as joy can end up in our ocean and beyond, like this mylar balloon. 👎

Every cleanup is an act of love. Love for our coastline. Love for our wildlife. Love for this community that shows up again and again.

If you care about keeping our beaches beautiful, we’d love to see you at the next cleanup. Check our Instagram or website for upcoming dates and join us. 💙

Let’s hope the snow melts before this cleanup!

We’re honored to be featured in the February issue of Rhode Island Monthly. 🌊

A Shore Thing: everyday people showing up for our coast, one cleanup at a time. From rocky shorelines to sandy beaches, this work only happens because of our dedicated volunteers and partners who care deeply about protecting these places we all love.

Huge thanks to Rhode Island Monthly and Tess Lyons (@planetblondes )for sharing our story, and to our community for making it worth telling. Thank you, David Silverman @dspicsphoto , for the photo! 💙

It’s more than you think…

From our Camp Cronin Cleanup back in February 2023, when we partnered with Surf Exchange Co.

As the snow falls, we are looking forward to warmer weather in the spring!

Here’s a peak at what we have scheduled❄️🌊

Due to the snow, we have to postpone the Sandhill Cove Cleanup to a later date. Enjoy the snow day!❄️🌊

Surfer taking advantage of the snow day 🌊❄️

The original ORCA tee is back

Our original ORCA tee is made from recycled materials (including up to six recycled water bottles) and supports our ongoing beach cleanups.

Available now in the ORCA shop.

Link in bio to support the coast 🌊

#ORCA #WearYourImpact #ProtectOurCoast #OceanConservation #CommunityCleanup

158 days until summer 😎

#reels
#reelsinstagram
#reelsvideo
#explorepage
#viralreels

One of our favorite spots. Not a drone shot 😉

#reels
#reelsinstagram
#reelsvideo
#explorepage
#viralreels

Join us this Martin Luther King Jr. Day as we come together to care for the coast at Sand Hill Cove 🌊
We’ll be meeting Monday, January 19th from 12–2 PM at the walkway leading to the beach off Stanton Avenue. Look for the ORCA van and follow the path up to the shoreline.

Parts of the coastline can be rocky, so comfortable footwear is recommended. Please be mindful when parking along the street.

A huge thank you to the Town of Narragansett Highway Department for assisting with trash removal after the cleanup — we couldn’t do this work without community partners like you.

Please be sure to RSVP on our website so you’ll receive email updates if the weather requires a postponement. Let’s honor the day through service and stewardship 💙

#BeachCleanup #MLKDayOfService #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #NarragansettRI VolunteerToday

We haven’t heard from the volunteer who found the message in a bottle. If you see this, let us know! For now, wrong answers only…

Thirteen volunteers came out to the Sea Wall in Narragansett this afternoon and cleaned up 31 pounds of litter. Thank you, volunteers!💙

Shout out to our new volunteer, Wayne, for stopping by for his first cleanup at 2.5 months old! 🐶

#ORCA
#OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance
#VolunteerLife
#OceanConservation

1,010 volunteers. 1,010 thank yous. 🌊 Thank you for making a difference in 2025. Continue!

#ORCA
#OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance
#VolunteerLife
#OceanConservation
#ReelsForGood

Due to the cold, we’re postponing tomorrow’s Sea Wall Cleanup with temperatures around 25° and a feels-like of 9°, and windy conditions. We want to make sure everyone stays safe and comfortable.

We’ll see you this Sunday at 1 PM to care for the coastline together - same place, same time, just better conditions.

Thank you for understanding and for always showing up

Congratulations to Bill, who won the raffle on Saturday night at the Snow Moon Fest! He scored this painting that was donated ny @lanagunnart He also won some cool ceramics from @down_easter_alexa and a sweet print from @rhodeislandsurfco

Thank you @willevansmusic for having us at your festival and being a supporter of ORCA

Thank you @lanagunnart @down_easter_alexa @rhodeislandsurfco for donating to the raffle and check them out for locally made art, ceramics, and surf goods!

2025 reminded us what’s possible when people show up for the coast. 💙

Together, this community hosted 38 cleanups, removed 7,942 lbs of debris, and brought 1,010 volunteers out to care for the places we love. From plastic and cigarette butts to one unforgettable message in a bottle, every piece collected tells a bigger story of impact and connection.

To our volunteers, partners, and collaborators, thank you for every early morning, every full bucket, and every shared moment along the shoreline. This work doesn’t happen without you, and we’re deeply grateful to stand beside you.

And we’re just getting started.
Follow along for upcoming cleanups, events, and ways to get involved because this community continues. 🌊

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance CoastalStewardship

From our ORCA family to yours, happy holidays🎄
Here’s to a season of rest, reflection, and renewed commitment to protecting the places we love most. See you on the shoreline in the new year. 🌊

Together with the Misquamicut Beach Foundation, we concluded 8 cleanups in 2025, bringing together 253 volunteers to remove 1,029 pounds of trash from this special stretch of coast. Every bag filled, every step taken, and every hour shared made a real difference.

Thank you to every volunteer who showed up, lent a hand, and helped protect the beach we all love. This impact belongs to you and to a community that cares deeply about our ocean and coastline.

We can’t wait to keep going. Join us at a future cleanup and be part of what’s possible when we work together. 🌊

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance RhodeIsland Misquamicut

The Misquamicut shoreline is cleaner because of you. 💙

Together with the Misquamicut Beach Foundation, we concluded 8 cleanups in 2025, bringing together 253 volunteers to remove 1,029 pounds of trash from this special stretch of coast. Every bag filled, every step taken, and every hour shared made a real difference.

Thank you to every volunteer who showed up, lent a hand, and helped protect the beach we all love. This impact belongs to you and to a community that cares deeply about our ocean and coastline.

We can’t wait to keep going. Join us at a future cleanup and be part of what’s possible when we work together. 🌊

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance RhodeIsland Misquamicut

Different boards, different stories, one ocean.
This is what community looks like in the water and beyond.

Photo courtesy of: @joshdaraujo

This beautiful coastal piece is heading somewhere special 🌊

We’re so grateful to @lanagunnart for donating this 24x36 artwork to support ORCA’s mission. We’ll be raffling it off in person at the Snow Moon Festival, and every raffle ticket helps protect the coast we all love.

✨ How it works:
Raffle tickets will be sold at the concert, and you must be there to participate.

📅 Snow Moon Festival
🗓 December 27
⏰ 5:00 pm
📍 The Velvet Mill, Stonington, CT
Go to @willevansmusic to purchase concert tickets for the show.

Come for the music, stay for the community, and take a chance on bringing this ocean-inspired piece home with you.
We can’t wait to see you there.

Our first snowfall of the season, right by the waves

#FirstSnow
#SnowByTheSea
#WinterByTheWater
#CoastalWinter
#OceanViews
#SnowfallVibes
#WinterCalm
#CoastalLife
#SeaAndSnow
#WinterMoments

Start the new year by giving back to the coast 🌊

Join ORCA for our New Year’s Day Cleanup at the Narragansett Sea Wall. We’ll be out there together, picking up debris, connecting with neighbors, and setting the tone for a cleaner, healthier ocean in 2026.

📍 Narragansett Sea Wall
🕐 1:00–3:00 PM
📌 190 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, RI

All are welcome, bring a friend, dress warm, and help us kick off the year with purpose.
RSVP at oceanrecoverycommunityalliance.org

#NewYearsDayCleanup #ORCA #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #BeachCleanup #ProtectOurCoast #NarragansettRI #RhodeIsland #VolunteerToday

This is why we clean.
This is why we show up.
Protect the sea, protect our home. 🌊💙

#ORCAcleanup
#ProtectTheSea
#RhodeIslandCoast
#RIsurf
#OceanConservation
#SunsetLovers
#SurfersOfInstagram
#NewEnglandCoast

The holidays are almost here, and ORCA gear makes a gift that gives back to the coastline. Each sweatshirt, tee helps us keep local beaches clean and supports the community that shows up year-round.

So if you’re looking for something meaningful (and really comfy), our winter merch lineup is ready for you.

Shop the collection and help us protect the places we love. Link in bio to purchase
#OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #ProtectOurCoast #ORCAGear #HolidayGifts #BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #RhodeIsland #MysticCT

Camp Cronin is looking a little brighter today thanks to an incredible group of volunteers. We had 30 people join us and together we removed 232 pounds of trash from the shoreline.

A huge thank-you to the Providence College students who came out as part of their management class project.

It’s always inspiring to see what happens when people show up with purpose. Join us at our next cleanup, updates are on social media and website.

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #RhodeIsland #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance

The holidays feel a little brighter when your gift gives back.
ORCA merch is a cozy way to share your love for the ocean and support the cleanups that keep our coastline thriving.

So if you’re looking for something meaningful this season, consider giving the gift of purpose.
Every purchase helps fuel community-led stewardship all year long. Head over to our website to purchase.

#GiveTheGiftOfPurpose #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #ProtectOurCoast #HolidayGiving #ORCAMerch #CoastalCommunity

The coastline is getting a little cleaner this week, and it’s thanks to an amazing group of Providence College students. They reached out with a class project focused on making a meaningful impact in their community, and together we decided a beach cleanup at Camp Cronin was the perfect way to do it.

We’re excited to spend the afternoon caring for this beautiful stretch of shoreline and supporting their work as future community leaders. If you’d like to join in, we’d love to see you there.

Camp Cronin Cleanup
December 7 · 12–2 pm

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #RhodeIsland #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance

Grateful for the love from Rhode Island Monthly. 💙
Their team spent a day with us in Misquamicut, walking the shoreline, meeting volunteers, and seeing firsthand what coastal stewardship looks like up close. It means a great deal to have our community’s work recognized and shared in such a thoughtful manner.

Huge thank you to Tess Lyons for telling this story with care, and to every volunteer who continues to show up for our beaches, rain or shine. We couldn’t do this without you.

Read the full article at the link in our bio, and join us at an upcoming cleanup. The coast is cleaner because of all of you.

#ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #RhodeIsland #BeachCleanup #VolunteerToday #OceanConservation

ORCA 2025 Wrapped is here.
Top cleanups, 7,941 pounds collected, and (no surprise) plastic taking the top spot.

Thanks to everyone who showed up this year and helped keep our coastlines in better shape than we found them.

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #RhodeIsland #MysticCT #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #wrapped

The coastline is a little cleaner because of you. 💙

On this GivingTuesday, we’re celebrating the 221 cleanups and more than 60,000 pounds of debris our community has removed together, a reminder of what’s possible when people show up for the ocean and for one another.

If ORCA’s work has made a difference in your life or along your favorite stretch of shoreline, we’d love your support today. Every gift strengthens local cleanups, community partnerships, and the growing movement to protect our coast.

Thank you for being part of this effort and for helping us maintain this momentum.
oceanrecoverycommunityalliance.org/donate

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #RhodeIsland #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #Givingtuesday #CommunityCleanup

Giving Tuesday is here. Link in bio to donate💙🌊
Today, your support directly fuels our beach cleanups.
If ORCA has ever inspired you, this is the best day to give back.

Every contribution, big or small, helps us protect the places we all love.
🌊 Donate at oceanrecoverycommunityalliance.org
💙 Share this reel to spread the word
👐 Thank you for supporting our mission

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #RhodeIsland #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance #Givingtuesday #CommunityCleanup

We couldn’t do this without you.
Tomorrow on Giving Tuesday, we’re asking our community to help fuel our 2026 cleanups.

Every gift, big or small, makes a difference 💙
Donate through the link in our bio.

#GivingTuesday #ProtectTheSea #CommunityCleanup

🌊 December TIDE REPORT IS HERE!
Another month of clean coasts and community power

675 lbs of trash removed
77 volunteers

New cleanups are scheduled for December.

🛍️ Don’t forget to grab your ORCA gear to support cleanups all year long.

#ProtectTheSea #ORCARI #BeachCleanup #OceanRecovery #GivingTuesday #SupportLocal #RIEvents #CoastalCleanup #NarragansettRI #JamestownRI #VolunteerWithUs

Happy Thanksgiving 💙🌊 We’re grateful for everyone who helps us protect our coastlines.

The coastline is cleaner because of people like you, and next week, we get to keep that momentum going. 💙
Giving Tuesday is coming up on December 2nd, and your support helps ORCA bring more hands, more care, and more protection to the places we all love.

If the ocean has given you a moment of peace, joy, or connection this year, we’d be grateful if you considered giving back. Every contribution helps us keep our shorelines healthy and welcoming for everyone.

Donations can be made through our website at oceanrecoverycommunityalliance.org/donate.

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #ProtectOurCoast #RhodeIsland #MysticCT #GivingTuesday #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance

Join us at Napatree Point on Nov 30 and Camp Cronin on Dec 7 as we team up with local partners to keep our shorelines clean and thriving.

These cleanups are simple, hands-on ways to make a real difference, and they’re always more fun with community by your side. Bring a friend, dress warm, and come help us protect the places we all enjoy.

RSVP at oceanrecoverycommunityalliance.org for full details.
We can’t wait to see you on the sand.

#BeachCleanup #OceanConservation #VolunteerToday #RhodeIsland #ProtectOurCoast #OceanRecoveryCommunityAlliance

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Our Impact

219
Total Cleanups

60,000
LBS Collected

Mahalo To Our Alliance Partners

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Global-Partners ORCA beach cleanup partner

Get to Know Us

The Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA) is a service project of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), launched in the spring of 2020 with the mission of protecting and preserving our coastal environments through community-driven action.

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