As the Oregon Coast Destination Management Organization, we know that tourism comes with inevitable impacts to our communities and our environments. It’s our responsibility to understand and work as champions for this place – and we couldn’t do it without a network of partners committed to the work of stewarding their communities.
That’s why we’re thrilled to highlight two incredible organizations, SOLVE, and Heart of Cartm, and the innovative ways they’re making it easier than ever to get involved in coastal stewardship.
SOLVE, an environmental nonprofit that began as a grassroots movement, has grown into a national model for volunteer-driven restoration. Today, they mobilize thousands of Oregonians and Southwest Washingtonians to clean and restore neighborhoods, parks, and natural spaces—creating a legacy of community-led stewardship.
Their latest initiative, the Trash Bag Challenge, is a friendly, competitive way to rally businesses, community groups, and individuals around a common cause: removing litter from our shared spaces. Think of it as the Ice Bucket Challenge, but instead of cold water, participants take up the challenge of collecting and properly disposing of as much trash as possible—then calling on others to do the same.
A Coastal Network for Stewardship
A key component of SOLVE’s success is its network of coastal supply hubs, which ensure that cleanup volunteers have the resources they need. These hubs—located in places like Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, and South Beach—make it easy for anyone to pick up reusable gloves, signage, and collection bags, reducing the reliance on single-use plastics while empowering local action.
The newest addition to this network is at Heart of Cartm in Manzanita, a North Coast nonprofit that reimagines waste as a resource for social, economic, and creative benefit.
“We love partnerships like these,” said Taylor Neitzke, SOLVE’s Program Director. “Not only are we reducing single-use plastics, but we’re also supporting creative reuse efforts. Our hope is to see a hub in every coastal community.”
Most recently, the Bird Alliance of Oregon borrowed supplies from the Heart of Cartm hub for a March cleanup at Nehalem Spit, where 16 volunteers removed litter from critical Snowy Plover habitat. As an added bonus, Oregon Shores and Heart of CARTM are training cleanup volunteers to sort and clean debris for reuse in art projects, giving discarded materials a second life through creativity.
All items sorted for art during this cleanup and 5 others this past February will be used in Oregon Shores’ Art and Ecology workshops with Garibaldi and Pacific Ridge school kids. Their final project will be unveiled at the Trash Bash Art Show on opening night May 15th. Trash Bash is a celebration of community ingenuity featuring a trash art gallery, the Trashion Show (where runway looks are crafted entirely from discarded materials), and Trash Tales, a storytelling event about the power of turning waste into wonder.
“By facilitating creative reuse and working collaboratively, we continue to connect people to their environment in meaningful ways,” explains Jessi Just, Heart of CARTM Executive Director.
How to Get Involved
With 150+ events annually on the coast, SOLVE is always looking for new event leaders and fresh perspectives to strengthen this movement. Whether you’re organizing a neighborhood cleanup or just want to grab a litter kit for a solo effort, the tools are there—you just have to show up.
Here’s how you can be part of the Trash Bag Challenge:
- Join an existing cleanup – Sign up for any event on SOLVE’s calendar.
- Become a team captain – Register your group and lead a cleanup.
- Host your own event – SOLVE provides supplies, logistics support, and even funding to cover disposal costs.
- Challenge others! – Call out a fellow business, friend, or organization to get out there and make an impact. Share your efforts on social media with #SOLVETrashBagChallenge and tag @solveinoregon (Instagram) / @solveoregon (Facebook).
A Tangible Way to Make a Difference
“In a world that can feel overwhelming, simple actions—like picking up trash in your community—offers a tangible way to create real change,” Taylor shared. “It reminds us of our power to do something.”
At OCVA, we’re continually inspired by the dedication and creativity of our coastal partners. Want to get involved and step up to the challenge? Sign up for the Trash Bag Challenge, attend a SOLVE cleanup, or stop by Heart of Cartm in Wheeler to see local stewardship in action.