Community Science
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Rally for the Waterways
The pollution harming our waterways is often invisible to the naked eye, but together, we can find it and drive pollution solutions through public awareness and policy.
Clean Ocean Action's Rally for the Waterways program unites communities, municipalities, and state agencies to track down sources of water pollution and protect the waterways we depend on.
Get involved with our water quality programs:
COA needs volunteer community scientists to collect water samples and document findings that guide solutions for cleaner, safer rivers. No experience necessary! COA will provide training and supplies.
Volunteers must be 18+ and able to do light outdoor activity including bending, lifting (up to 25 lbs), and navigating terrain during normal and rainy weather.
Click here to get involved today!
Environmental education festival to educate kids and families on watershed mindfulness and community stewardship.
Click here to watch the recap video from Eco-Fest 2026!
Rally for the Two Rivers focuses on finding, fixing, and eliminating sources of pollution the Navesink and Shrewsbury River watershed in Monmouth County, NJ.
Click here to learn about this award-winning program.
A collaboration between Clean Ocean Action, Save Barnegat Bay, Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science (MATES), and the NJ Department of Environmental Science, Rally for Barnegat Bay helps track down and eliminate pollution in the Toms River subwatershed.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Rally for the Two Rivers public meetings provides an opportunity for residents to learn about the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, understand local initiatives to improve water quality, and engage directly with the leaders and organizations working to protect them.
Click here to learn more about our public meetings.
For shareable flyers, click here.
To view our videos, click here.
For additional public resource links, click here.
Finding Hidden Pollution
Many water quality problems begin far from the shoreline. Through nonpoint source pollution, rain and stormwater carry bacteria and other pollutants from streets, neighborhoods, and infrastructure into our streams, rivers, bays, and ultimately the ocean.
While some sources are obvious, others are hard to detect. They range from pet waste to sewage leaks to bird fecal matter, and more.
Through scientific monitoring and community partnerships, Rally for the Waterways works to identify hotspots, uncover pollution sources, and unite towns and state officials to figure out solutions to improve water quality.
Be Part of the Solution!
Rally for the Waterways is a collaborative, no-blame approach that connects residents, municipalities, and environmental professionals around a common goal: uniting for cleaner, healthier waterways.
Community volunteers collect water samples and help monitor the water quality across local waterways. These efforts provide valuable data that help towns and communities address pollution.
Questions? Contact us at programs@cleanoceanaction.org.
