ALO Through the Years

Origins: A Response to Environmental Crisis

In August 1987, Long Beach Island faced a significant environmental disaster when a 50-mile garbage slick, including medical waste, washed ashore. This event, known as the "Syringe Tide," was traced back to illegal dumping from the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island. In response, local residents Ken Smith, Karen Kiss, and John Woodland organized a peaceful demonstration called "Hands Across the Beach," where over 40,000 people joined hands along LBI's 18-mile coastline to protest ocean pollution. This movement led to the formation of Alliance for a Living Ocean later that year.

Mission and Early Achievements

ALO's mission is to Safeguard Our Shores for Future Generations. We promote and maintain clean water and a healthy coastal environment through education and volunteerism. Recognizing the interconnectedness of the watershed, bay, and ocean, ALO emphasizes holistic environmental stewardship. In its early years, ALO was instrumental in influencing environmental legislation, contributing to the passage of the New Jersey Medical Waste Tracking Law in 1989 and the Clean Water Enforcement Act in 1990. The organization also played a role in the closure of the Fresh Kills Landfill, a significant source of ocean pollution. In recent years we have been involved in campaigns like the NJ Plastic Bag Ban, and efforts to prevent offshore drilling in New Jersey waters.

Ongoing Programs and Community Engagement

Over the decades, ALO has expanded its initiatives to include a variety of free community programs:

  • Critter Round-Ups: Interactive sessions where participants learn about local marine life through hands-on experiences in Barnegat Bay.

  • Beach Cleanups: Regular events mobilizing volunteers to remove debris from local beaches.

  • ALO Longboard Classic: An annual surf contest and fundraiser supporting ALO's programming.

  • Dune Grass Planting: Efforts to combat erosion and protect coastal ecosystems by planting native vegetation.

Organizational Structure

As a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ALO operates primarily through volunteer efforts and community support. The organization is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and managed by an Executive Director responsible for daily operations, event planning, and outreach.

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

In August 2023, ALO appointed a new Executive Director, and in 2024 we brought on our first Communications Specialist. The ALO Board of Directors continues to evolve with the help of both new and familiar faces, under the leadership of Casey Deacon. The organization remains dedicated to addressing urgent environmental challenges, and continues to foster a culture of sustainability through education and active participation from the local community.