The Aquatic Stewards program is an ongoing volunteer program educating youth on marine ecosystems and species, and collecting data in a long-term study of terrestrial and marine sources while engaging the public to support our National Park and public beaches.
We are working with underserved youth in San Francisco and Los Angeles public schools learning ecosystem science and cleaning up the beach. Youth and citizen scientists record data and are mapping and identifying species in Aquatic Park Cove using iNaturalist with the California Academy of Sciences. We also train citizen-scientists to conduct Bio Blitzes in the Park with the community to observe and record species data in the Cove and nearshore.
We upload data on marine litter using the Marine Debris Tracker App, and Flora and Fauna observations to the Aquatic Park Ecoblitz Project.
CORPORATE SPONSORS? Supporting our National Park and beaches through your donations and volunteer hours!
Our youth film Hang Onto Your Butts wins the youth competition for middle schools at the San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival..
Congratulations, the Aquatic Park Stewards youth volunteer program has been awarded the prestigious George Jr. & Helen Hartzog National Awards for Outstanding Service Youth Groups Division by the National Parks Service at the Western Regional and National levels!
Kevin Hendricks, Superintendent, San Francisco Maritime Heritage National Park
With our partners* our aim is to reduce plastic pollution in the Bay Tributaries, San Francisco Bay and adjacent beaches through direct action, education and policy. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of cigarette butt litter on our oceans, waves and beaches, and to help eliminate cigarette butt litter in San Francisco County and beyond to the Bay and Pacific Ocean. Commonly littered on our sidewalks and streets, butts end up in our storm drains, flowing to our streams, rivers, bays, lagoons and ultimately the ocean.
WHEN WE MEET
Community cleanups are the second Sunday of each month at San Francisco Aquatic Park 0900 AM-11:00 AM. We also meet on other weekends so follow us on Facebook.
We also host group and company cleanups for a donation to support our time and education program.
WHERE WE MEET
We meet outside the Dolphin Club, at the west end . Join us cleaning and supporting the Maritime Heritage National Historical Park. Volunteer now! These cleanups typically take about one- two hours and are fun team building events giving back to our community. MAP
This citizen science and youth education program is collecting marine debris using NOAA methodology and recording categories, recycling and raising awareness about the impacts of cigarettes on humans and environmental health.
WHAT TO BRING
- Layered clothing
- sunscreen and hat
- sunglasses
- reusable water or drink container
- lunch or snacks if desired- no single use plastic please!
- sandals, sneakers of beach shoes.
We are a volunteer program relying on donations for cleanup materials. Donate $10 to support the Healthy Bay Program to fund gloves, tools and clean up materials.