Traveling Trash Webinar

About the event

Join Shelby Smith, Conservation Engagement Manager from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, to learn how changing ocean currents impact where trash moves along the Oregon Coast.

Ever wonder why some seasons bring more trash to our beaches than others? Join us for a seminar exploring the story behind seasonal marine debris patterns along the central Oregon coast. Using data collected throughout 2025 with NOAA, Nurdle Patrol, and Oregon State University, we’ll uncover how tides, storms, and currents shape what washes ashore, and what that means for our ocean health.

This year’s findings include a record number of nurdles detected along Oregon beaches and fascinating insights from king tide events that amplified debris movement and reshaped our coastlines. Discover these trends, learn how community science makes a difference, and find out how you can help keep Oregon’s beaches clean year-round.

About Shelby Smith – Conservation Engagement Manager, Oregon Coast Aquarium: 

Shelby Smith is passionate about protecting our oceans and has built her career around studying seasonal patterns of marine debris. She leads community science programming at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and works closely with organizations like NOAA and Nurdle Patrol to understand how changes in weather, tides, and currents affect where and when debris shows up along coastlines. By tracking these patterns, Shelby helps communities and conservation groups plan smarter cleanups and raise awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution.

She loves turning data into stories that inspire action, making science accessible and engaging for people who care about healthy oceans. Whether on the beach collecting samples or sharing insights with volunteers, Shelby’s goal is simple: to keep our seas cleaner and safer for marine life.