Back to Blue: Turn Pollution Into Possibility
A national movement to heal our waters. We restore the health of freshwater ecosystems by protecting what is left and repairing what has been harmed.
Volunteer
The Water Remembers
We all carry memories shaped by water. Swimming in childhood lakes, fishing with grandparents, the sound of rain on rivers that ran clear. Those waters are clouded and clogged now, choked with plastic and pollution that threatens the ecosystems we love.
But water has memory too. It remembers what it was before we changed it. And with your help, Back to Blue exists to bring them back to their natural state - crystal clear, teeming with life, safe for our children and grandchildren.
"The water remembers. So should we."
It Began In Tampa
Founder Michael Beck watched local rivers choke with trash and neighbors lose hope. Instead of turning away, his community grabbed bags and buckets and went into action. They pulled garbage from rivers, demanded stronger protections, and tried to hold the line.
But the tide kept turning. Red tide blooms worsened. Trash piled up faster than it could be cleared. Manatees began starving. The crisis had outgrown any single town.

Michael Beck, Founder: "The truth is, not everyone in this country has an ocean to care about. But everyone has a lake or a river that matters to them. I may not be able to change the world, but I can take care of my corner of it and hopefully spark others to do the same."
If each of us takes responsibility for our piece of the puzzle, together we can build something enduring, something that will protect our waters for generations to come.
From One River To A National Movement
1
Local Action
Communities organize grassroots cleanups and restoration efforts in their watersheds
2
Regional Networks
Towns connect to share resources, strategies, and amplify impact across regions
3
National Scale
United movement pushes for policy change and scales solutions nationwide
Back to Blue now unites communities across the country. We organize cleanups, push for protections, and scale solutions so every town can care for the waters that define it. What started as one man's mission in Tampa has become a nationwide network of water warriors.
Innovation For Enduring Protection
Cleanups matter, and lasting change needs smart infrastructure. We champion technologies that keep rivers clean without constant human labor.
Think bubble barriers that intercept plastic before it reaches open water, filtration booms that trap pollutants, automated systems that safeguard waterways.
Bubble Barriers
Intercept floating plastics before they reach open water using innovative air curtain technology
Filtration Booms
Trap pollutants in high flow zones with strategically placed filtration systems
Automated Monitoring
Detect, track, and respond to pollution in real time with smart sensor networks
We convene scientists, eco-tech startups, and national brands to test, fund, and scale these solutions across watersheds nationwide.
Why Water. Why Now.
The crisis is visible, local, and solvable. Water connects every community, and the statistics tell an urgent story that demands immediate action.
1/3
U.S. Lakes Impaired
One third of American lakes suffer from pollution and contamination
<14%
Plastic Recycling Rate
Less than 14% of plastic waste gets recycled effectively
37%
Plastic For Packaging
More than one-third of plastic production goes to single-use packaging
72%
Consumers Want Action
Nearly three-quarters expect brands to take environmental responsibility
900K+
Florida Polluted Acres
Over 900,000 acres of Florida lakes are classified as polluted

Packaging is visible in local waterways. Most people live near a lake or river, not an ocean. The problem is in our backyards, and so is the solution.
Our Mission: Protect And Repair
Protect What Is Left
  • Safeguard healthy freshwater ecosystems
  • Prevent new harm through policy advocacy
  • Build community stewardship programs
Repair What Has Been Harmed
  • Restore impaired waters through cleanup
  • Deploy remediation technologies
  • Support policy for lasting change
01
Community-Led Cleanups
Mobilize volunteers to restore shorelines and waterways through organized action
02
Green Technology & Bioremediation
Deploy trash traps, floating barriers, and biofilters for automated protection
03
Youth Education & Water Literacy
Programs that build lifelong stewardship in the next generation
04
Brand Collaboration
Transform corporate accountability into visible environmental impact
Partner With Purpose
Join brands making visible impact through innovative collaboration. Turn your commitment to sustainability into measurable results that communities can see and celebrate.
1
Champion Level - $500K+
Campaign naming rights, docuseries segment, ESG impact report, prominent brand placement, legacy partner badge, executive media support
2
Visionary Level - $250K+
Named restoration project, national media coverage, custom volunteer day kits, youth learning lab leadership, co-hosted branded summit
3
Strategic Ally - $50K+
Regional watershed sponsorship, co-branded resources, impact storytelling, team engagement, employee action day
4
Advocate - $25K+
Local cleanup sponsorship and community engagement opportunities
Branded Restoration Equipment
Your logos on booms, trash traps, and digital dashboards create lasting visibility
Solution Packaging
Transform packaging into cleanup kits and upcycled materials that tell your story
Digital Impact Tracking
Interactive storymap with real-time restoration data showcases your investment
Get Involved: Every Action Counts
Volunteer
Join a cleanup crew or host your own community restoration event
Donate
Fuel regional hubs, innovative technology, and youth education programs
Become a Sponsor
Lead with purpose and proof. Partner with us to create measurable environmental impact while building brand trust and community connection.
Host an Event
Bring Back to Blue to your community. We provide the expertise, equipment, and support to make your local restoration event a success.
Water is Life. Clean Water is a Right.
Join us and our partners across the nation as we go Back to Blue, together. Every lake, every river, every stream deserves protection. Every community deserves clean water.
"This lake raised me. It is only right we raise it back."
- Local Volunteer
"Our students now see how they can be part of the solution."
- Science Teacher
"My kids can swim and fish here again."
- Parent
The movement starts with you. The water remembers, and together, we can help it remember what it was meant to be.