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Montague Island faces one of the nation’s worst coastal debris crises. Join dedicated volunteers on a week-long cleanup expedition in Alaska’s Gulf, removing tons of marine trash while experiencing rugged wilderness and community conservation.
Montague Island faces one of the nation’s worst coastal debris crises. Join dedicated volunteers on a week-long cleanup expedition in Alaska’s Gulf, removing tons of marine trash while experiencing rugged wilderness and community conservation.
Book with Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies · Whittier, Alaska
Montague Island, situated in the Gulf of Alaska near Whittier, is an expansive and dynamic wilderness zone marked by rugged coastlines and powerful Pacific currents. This remote island plays a crucial ecological role, providing habitat for diverse marine life and supporting subsistence and commercial fishing vital to Alaska’s communities. However, its shores are burdened by one of the nation’s most severe accumulations of marine debris, with an estimated 30 tons of trash washed ashore per mile. The Montague Island Cleanups offers adventurous volunteers a rare chance to fight back against this environmental challenge by removing debris across 74 tidal miles of coastline.
The cleanup project is not your typical outdoor excursion; it demands physical strength, resilience, and commitment. Volunteers live aboard a support vessel anchored in Prince William Sound, which serves as the operational base for a week-long expedition beginning and ending in Whittier, Alaska. Each day on site involves up to nine hours of labor-intensive debris removal from the island’s rugged beaches, confronting everything from fishing nets to plastic waste shaped by Alaska’s fierce weather and ocean currents.
This initiative is uniquely positioned at the intersection of wilderness preservation and community stewardship. What makes Montague Island so extraordinary is its combination of breathtaking natural features—glacially carved inlets, tide pools brimming with intertidal sea stars, and towering Sitka spruce forests—juxtaposed with the heavy human impact of marine plastic pollution. The island’s isolation and challenging terrain amplify the importance of this cleanup work, emphasizing the role remote communities and volunteers play in mitigating global ocean pollution.
Beyond the physical labor, volunteers engage closely with local experts from the Gulf of Alaska Keeper organization, gaining insights into marine ecology and conservation challenges affecting this subarctic region. Daily living aboard the vessel encourages camaraderie and a shared sense of purpose, reinforcing how environmental action depends on people working together in demanding conditions.
Visiting Montague Island for this cleanup offers much more than an adventure; it is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to one of the most pressing environmental issues in Alaska. The chance to explore pristine Alaskan coastline while directly reversing damage underscores why this experience stands out as both a profound outdoor challenge and a rewarding act of stewardship. For travelers drawn to purposeful expeditions balanced by stunning natural beauty, Montague Island Cleanups is a call to action that transforms adventure into impact.
No formal experience is necessary, but volunteers must be physically fit and prepared for strenuous work in remote settings.
Volunteers arrive independently in Whittier, Alaska, where the group boards the support vessel each Friday to begin the cleanup week.
Yes, wholesome meals are included onboard, and participants can bring additional food to meet dietary needs.
Project coordinators provide safety training, require lifting minimums, and monitor conditions closely to protect volunteers.
No onshore camping or private boats are permitted; all activities and accommodations occur on the support vessel.
A $100 deposit is required at booking, refundable upon successful trip completion or with cancellation before March 1, 2025.
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies connects people to the coastal ecosystems around Homer, Alaska through guided field programs, habitat stewardship, and environmental education. Based in Homer, the organization manages Inspiration Ridge Preserve (693 acres) and the Wynn Nature Center (140 acres) and offers a year-round calendar of guided experiences led by trained naturalists and experienced volunteers. Programs include Harbor ecology walks (Creatures of the Dock), seasonal Crane Walks guided by Kachemak Crane Watch co-founder Nina Faust, Wildcrafting workshops on Inspiration Ridge, guided snowshoeing in winter (limited to 10 participants), and a 10-day Teen EcoAdventure Camp focused on backcountry skills, food systems, and hands-on stewardship. Day hikes, special tours, and teen trail-building sessions (Trails for Teens, ages 13–16) add practical conservation learning and outdoor skills. Educational emphasis, small group sizes, and partnerships with local conservation organizations reinforce safety and credibility. Interpretive programming blends natural history, species identification, cultural stories, and practical skills like berry harvesting and salmon fishing. Facilities include miles of maintained trails, viewing platforms, and accessible routes at the Wynn Nature Center and Inspiration Ridge. Participation supports local conservation efforts, community science, and crane education in Homer. All programs are designed for a wide range of ages and experience levels, with clear age recommendations and safety policies for camps and specialized activities. The Center's record of long-running public programs, trained guides, and land stewardship demonstrates a reliable, educational choice for visitors seeking authentic Alaskan coastal experiences. Program schedules, registration details, and accessibility information are available online year-round for visitors.
Book with Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies