Algalita Marine Research and Education

This year, we are raising funds to support our Alamitos Bay sampling and analysis experience for students in Long Beach and across Southern California. Funds raised during Long Beach Gives will cover plankton trawls, microscopes, and other equipment to help serve more students at our Lab and Learning Center.

In 1997, Algalita ignited a global movement to end plastic pollution after discovering and bringing attention to the swirling soup of plastic pollution in the Pacific - now known by many as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Since then, we've worked to revolutionize the plastic pollution conversation by building a web of connections between researchers, activists, industry leaders, educators, and young people across the globe. Some of our most notable achievements include being the first organization in history to develop ocean plastic monitoring protocols, the first to host international youth summits on the issue, and the first to inspire CA state-level plastic pollution legislation (2005). Algalita was also instrumental in the launch of the first national plastic pollution legislation, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, and we also were featured in the Emmy-award winning documentary, The Story of Plastic. Over the past two decades, Algalita researchers have published 21 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

In May 2023, Algalita launched Wayfinder Society for Environmental Education - a FREE and totally open-source online program that enables educators to effortlessly discover environmental education resources that are expertly curated, aligned to educational standards, and most importantly fun and interactive. The program offers a deep dive into ocean conservation by exploring the systemic causes and solutions behind our most pressing environmental issues. While Wayfinder Society drives Algalita's global impact, we are dedicated to serving our Long Beach community through our local programs that include:

• Building the first-of-its-kind environmental research and learning center in Long Beach, CA. Named after our Founder, Charles Moore, the Moore Plastic Pollution Research and Learning Center includes a state-of-the-art microplastics lab, a teacher training center and classroom, a technology lab, and workspaces to support visiting scientists. Algalita engages our community in teacher workshops, student field trips, citizen science projects, internships, and community events.

•  BYO at Algalita - our zero-waste refill shop and community center. It's a space for locals to adopt habits around using fewer plastics and connect with like-minded community members. Find a wide range of alternatives to single-use plastics and a refill station to purchase cleaners & cosmetics. We've partnered with BYO Long Beach, with multiple locations around Long Beach. Together our mission is to inspire locals to reduce their waste and focus on reusable alternatives. Visit us at 140 North Marina Drive!

• Beach Cleanups and On-the-Water Restoration Efforts - Help us keep our local environment clean up joining an Algalita cleanup! Join our newsletter for updates. Join our newsletter for updates.

• Community Building Events like film screenings, workshops, gatherings, and local activations! Join our newsletter or follow us on IG to see what's next - and don't miss out on the city wide activation, BYO Month in October where you can use your reusable containers at participating locations and join in on BYO events to collect stamps for prizes all in the name of REUSE!

Testimonials

"This organization is doing some of the most important work for the future of humanity. Support them when you can!" - Genre Bender, Algalita supporter

""Algalita has helped me realize what I want to do with my life. I want to become a marine biologist and protect wildlife." - Karen Nguyen, Student

"I have been following Algalita since it's onset. I can say with all honesty, that it is wonderful, pure of scam and a great provides a great guide for the future of our sensitive young people. I have painted pictures for this start-up idea, and i am currently photographing local gardens. I will give this organization five stars...for prosperity!" - Christine Brown, Long Beach resident

"After working with Algalita, my students are now even more fired up to become leaders in the fight to save the ocean." -Robert Whiteman, Teacher

"Thank you for creating Wayfinder Society! I am so tired of seeing environmental programs that think that students are only capable of picking up trash. Wayfinder really challenges kids to be a meaningful part of the solution". -Parent of an Algalita Wayfinder Society participant

"Because of Algalita, I don't feel alone in trying to solve one of the most difficult issues facing or environment today. I know for a fact there are students in other countries trying to achieve the same daunting task. I am so grateful to Algalita for bringing us together to share our ideas and fight plastic pollution!" Christine Davie, Student "