Protecting the Journey from Nest to Sea: A Cleanup Strike Mission with 4ocean

Every small action can lead to a big impact. On May 20, 2025, the Garden of Life team joined forces with 4ocean at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in Florida with a shared goal—to protect the environment for present and future generations of marine life.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, the only state park in Palm Beach County, is more than just a beautiful 1.6 mile stretch of coastline. This ecological treasure is also one of the most densely populated sea turtle nesting sites in the region. Every year from March through October, over 3,000 Green, Loggerhead, and Leatherback sea turtles return to these dunes and beaches to lay their eggs in the sand.

With that in mind, 16 dedicated members from Garden of Life and 4ocean embarked on a cleanup strike mission to learn more about the park’s ecosystem and to help keep the beach safe for the wildlife that call it home.

As we crossed the boardwalk, the beach looked pristine at first glance. But as we got closer, knelt down, and dug a little deeper, the real picture came into focus. Scattered across the shore were thousands of tiny threats: wrappers, bottle caps, bits of rope and plastic fragments. Some were buried in the sand, tangled in seaweed, or caught between driftwood; others were so small they blended in with seashells or grains of sand. To sea turtles, these fragments can be fatal, as they can be easily mistaken for food and ingested by accident.

With guidance from the 4ocean crew, we combed the shore and collected debris piece by piece under the hot Florida sun. There was a strong, shared sense of urgency and purpose in every step. Together, we removed 5.2 pounds of debris.

The number might not sound like much, but weight isn’t the only metric that matters. Most of what we gathered was made up of microplastics, which are one of the most harmful forms of ocean pollution as they often go unnoticed. Every piece of trash removed felt like a small act of protection, and the experience was a meaningful reminder that even the smallest actions can add up to a big difference.

“I think it’s important for people to roll up their sleeves and really get into it – to see the impact that plastic has on the environment and wildlife,” said Heather Storms, Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Garden of Life. “Talking about it is very different from actually experiencing it, and it helps us better connect with our purpose.”

The strike mission was an important moment in our ongoing partnership with 4ocean. It gave us a deeper connection to the mission behind the collaboration. As a Certified Cleanup Partner, Garden of Life has committed to helping remove 500,000 pounds of trash from the world’s oceans and coastlines by September 2026. And each cleanup brings us closer to that goal – and closer to protecting the ecosystems we all depend on.