Big Beach Cleanup and Keep Our Island Clean Day

On February 21, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.From Duck to Buxton and Roanoke Island to Wanchese, join us in helping pick up trash along our beautiful beaches and Roanoke Island. This is an official Thrive Month event featured in the Playbook, so give yourself a high five for joining in! Didn’t purchase a Playbook? No worries—this event is open to everyone. Together, we can help clean more than 74 miles of coastline. Healthy beaches, healthy community!

Special thanks to the Surfrider Foundation for helping organize this beach and island cleanup, to the North Carolina Coastal Federation and the National Park Service for partnering with this initiative, and to the Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau for sponsoring Thrive Month

To get involved, please sign up through the Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau Volunteer Portal so that we can ensure all access points are covered. Click the link below to sign up for your preferred location. 

Southern Shores: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199176

Kitty Hawk: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199355

Kill Devil Hills: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199366

Nags Head: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199410

South Nags Head: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199413

Manteo: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199425

Wanchese: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199431

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: https://www.volunteerobx.com/need/detail/?need_id=1199437 

*Safety Note: Recent home collapses have increased debris on Hatteras Island beaches, especially in Buxton. Volunteers should wear gloves and hard-soled shoes and watch for nail-ridden boards and septic system parts (black plastic baffles or white perforated PVC pipes). Beach access may be difficult due to high surf and steep drop-offs but is expected to improve. Debris can be piled in NPS parking areas near beach accesses.