One-Day Volunteer Events

Want to volunteer without a major time commitment? Check out these great opportunities for single-day volunteering - great for families and groups!

Clean the Bay Day

Saturday, June 3 | 8:00am-11:00am

Registration is now full for our Clean the Bay Day event! Every year thousands of Virginians work simultaneously across the state to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay by removing litter and debris from our waterways. Since the start of this Virginia tradition, led by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, more than 7.18 million pounds of trash and debris have been removed from more than 8,250 miles of shoreline. The Virginia Aquarium welcomes volunteers to our site locations each year to join the effort.

Creek Cleanup

Trash that finds its way into the ocean can travel long distances with the currents and winds. Plastic bags and plastic wrap can suffocate marine animals and fish. Birds can easily entangle themselves in plastic six-pack rings and strings. Animals can also get sick or die from swallowing trash, such as cigarette butts. Humans, animals, and plants all need unpolluted water to survive. Join us monthly as we clean up the natural area around Owls Creek!

Dune Planting

Check back later for upcoming events! Sand dunes act as natural barriers, protecting land by preventing erosion and absorbing wave energy. Without this protection, soft coastline would rapidly disappear. We need your help to plant native dune grasses and restore habitat for local wildlife and protect the shoreline.

Join the National Aquarium's Conservation team, in partnership with the Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, to restore valuable sand dune habitat in Virginia Beach.

E-Cycle Events

Thank you for participating in our 2023 Winter E-Cycle Event! Check back for future events.

January is a great time to recycle old electronics that have been stacked up around the house or replaced during the holidays. On January 28, 2023, the Virginia Aquarium held its annual E-Cycling Event to recycle household and personally owned electronic waste. Volunteers were essential in making this event a success!

Volunteers assist with collecting old electronics, directing traffic, and taking surveys. Participants must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand for an extended period. The event starts at 9:00am; however, volunteers should arrive at 8:30am for check-in and a briefing.

The Aquarium hosts this event in partnership with Goodwill and the City of Virginia Beach Waste Management and Police departments.