Buy a Shirt, Save a Shoreline: New Campaign Backs Texas Beach Cleanups

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is rallying support for coastal conservation with a new fundraising initiative under the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) long-running Adopt-A-Beach program. The campaign, launched this week, offers limited-edition T-shirts for $35 each, with proceeds going directly toward essential cleanup efforts along Texas’s beloved shoreline.

The initiative aims to raise both awareness and financial support for the Adopt-A-Beach program, which has been a staple of Texas beach preservation for nearly four decades. The program brings together volunteers from across the state to clean up litter and debris that endanger wildlife and pollute the coast. Commissioner Buckingham, a lifelong Texan with deep ties to the coast, emphasized the personal importance of keeping Texas beaches clean and safe for future generations.

“Growing up near the Texas coast, I developed a deep love for Texas beaches, and I am dedicated to ensuring our beautiful beaches are preserved for future generations,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “The GLO’s Adopt-a-Beach program is the backbone of our cleanup, conservation, and beach safety efforts. Please join me in supporting this incredible program and help preserve our beaches for future generations by getting your limited-edition T-shirt today.”

Since its founding in 1986, the Adopt-A-Beach program has mobilized nearly 590,000 volunteers to remove close to 10,000 tons of trash from the Texas coastline. What began with just 2,800 volunteers in its inaugural cleanup—collecting 124 tons of waste—has grown into one of the state’s most successful and enduring environmental programs. It continues to draw thousands of participants each year, underscoring the widespread public commitment to environmental stewardship and coastal preservation.

The program’s success is powered not only by volunteers but also by public support in the form of donations and merchandise sales like the new T-shirt campaign. The funds raised help cover the costs of organizing clean-up events, providing supplies to volunteers, and promoting environmental education across communities.

The next scheduled beach cleanup is Saturday, September 20, 2025. Texans of all ages are encouraged to sign up and participate in the effort. Registration is available through the Adopt-A-Beach website, where interested volunteers can also sign up for newsletters and find updates on upcoming events through social media platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

By offering a tangible way for Texans to show their support—literally wearing their commitment—the campaign reinforces the importance of community involvement in preserving the state’s natural beauty. Supporters who purchase the shirts are not only contributing to beach cleanups, but also raising visibility for the program as they wear the gear throughout the state.

While the Adopt-A-Beach program is run by the Texas General Land Office, its success depends heavily on partnerships with local communities, schools, civic groups, and businesses. The GLO continues to work with these partners to expand participation and ensure that the Texas coast remains a treasured resource for both residents and visitors.

Environmental advocates across the state are applauding the effort. Many see the campaign as an effective and creative way to raise funds for a cause that impacts public health, wildlife, tourism, and overall quality of life.

Democratic legislators and local officials have generally supported bipartisan efforts to protect the state’s natural resources, with several praising community-based initiatives like Adopt-A-Beach for fostering civic engagement. There is broad consensus across party lines that keeping Texas beaches clean is not just an environmental imperative, but a practical investment in public recreation and coastal economies.

With nearly 367 miles of coastline, Texas’s beaches serve as critical habitats for wildlife and play a key role in tourism and commerce. Ensuring their cleanliness and sustainability is a shared responsibility, and programs like Adopt-A-Beach make it easier for everyday Texans to play a role.

Commissioner Buckingham’s T-shirt campaign is more than just a call for donations—it’s a call for pride, participation, and long-term preservation. Whether through joining a cleanup crew, sporting the new shirt, or spreading the word online, every action counts.

Texans can visit the GLO’s Adopt-A-Beach website to purchase the T-shirt, register for the next cleanup, or simply learn more about how they can get involved. As Commissioner Buckingham reminds us, small actions—like buying a T-shirt—can lead to big results when it comes to preserving the places we love most.