A woman wearing a hi-vis orange vest has her back to the camera. She is in front of a group of volunteers. Her vest reads Marine Conservation Society.

Volunteering & citizen science

Whether you live inland or by the coast, there are lots of ways you can become a champion for our seas.
Volunteer dashboard
    A person wearing a navy blue Marine Conservation Society t-shirt, jeans, and a tan cap laughing while using a litter picker. The camera angle is low, looking up at the person against a bright, clear blue sky. A blurred plastic bottle is in the foreground.

    Sign up as a volunteer

    Register to become a volunteer 'Sea Champion' and you'll get access to your own personal dashboard where you can see all of your beach cleans, read the very latest news and learn how to take positive action to restore the health of our oceans.

    Join as a sea champion

    Volunteering and citizen science has a phenomenal impact on the health of our ocean. Did you know that in 2025, 6,482 volunteers collected 3516kg of litter?! Citizen science is something most volunteers already do but may not realise that's what it is. Citizen science is a collaborative effort by members of the public to gather and share scientific data that can inform research and inspire change. A lot of our volunteering opportunities are a type of citizen science as anyone can take part in citizen science and many projects are suitable for all ages and abilities.

    Wildlife sightings

    Whether you live by the coast or visit the seaside on your holidays, we want to know every time you spot a jellyfish. Or, if you're lucky enough to spot a turtle, we would like to hear about that too. Recording your sightings provides vital information about our ocean's inhabitants and will contribute to scientific research that helps find solutions to protect our seas.

    Find out about recording your wildlife sightings
    A large lion's mane jellyfish with a reddish-brown bell and long, white, flowing tentacles, swimming in green-lit water.

    A lion's mane jellyfish spotted at Loch Leven, Scotland  |  Image credit: James Lynott

    Beach cleans

    If you are looking for a social way to help protect our ocean and get some fresh air too, joining or organising a beach clean might be the perfect volunterering opportunity. Helping clean our coasts has a strong impact on marine wildlife by protecting them from ingestion and entanglement. 

    A Marine Conservation Society beach clean is different than any other because we are also interested in recording what is found. We want to record every bit of dangerous debris from plastic, cigarette butts, fishing gear and wet wipes.

    Sign up to a beach clean
    A woman in an orange hi-vis vest holding up a bag of litter with her right arm. She is standing on a pebble beach and is smiling.

    A woman holding a bag of collected litter at Hove beach  |  Image credit: Billy Barraclough

    Source to Sea Litter Quest

    No matter where you live across the UK, you can help keep our seas clean. Most of the litter that ends up on our beaches or in the sea starts its journey in villages, towns and cities miles from the coast.

    Take part in an inland litter pick to help prevent litter from finding its way to our coasts and ocean.

    Find out about Source to Sea litter picking
    A group of volunteers posing for a photo on some grass while taking part in a Source to Sea clean. A river can be seen behind them.

    A group of volunteers taking part in a Source to Sea clean around a local river  |  Image credit: Hayley Cartwright

    Big Seaweed Search

    It might be slimy, but seaweed is a real ocean superhero. In fact, studying seaweeds can tell us a lot about wider ocean and environmental conditions. By taking part in the Big Seaweed Search, you’ll be helping to gather vital evidence that can be used to map and document any changes to our coastal environments.

    Get involved with the Big Seaweed Search
    A group of seven adults seaweed search in rock pools at Rottingdean Beach.

    Seaweed searching at Rottingdean Beach, East Sussex  |  Image credit: Natural History Museum London

    Other ways to volunteer

    A humpback whale swimming alone in the ocean

    Fundraise for us

    We are always looking for like-minded people who believe in the need to protect the ocean to help fundraise for our important cause.
    A woman holding a microphone. She is wearing a Marine Conservation Society t-shirt

    Speak out for our ocean

    Be a voice for the ocean by sharing our work in your community and promoting our campaigns.

    Check out Seasearch

    Seasearch offers an exciting way to learn about marine life while doing your bit to protect and restore our ocean.