Nurdle Patrol is an international citizen science program that tracks plastic pellet pollution—tiny lentil-sized pieces of plastic called nurdles, which are the raw material for nearly all plastic products. To date, more than 15,000 volunteers have conducted 10-minute surveys, collecting over 30,000 data points from more than 11,000 sites across the United States, Mexico, and 30 other countries. These surveys help pinpoint potential sources of nurdle pollution while also physically removing pellets from the environment. Why does this matter? Nurdles resemble food to marine animals, leading to intestinal blockages and even starvation if ingested. They also act like sponges, absorbing harmful chemicals that can transfer into the food web. Beyond the science, the project raises public awareness, empowers communities to take action, and provides critical data for management and policy decisions aimed at reducing plastic pollution. This presentation will highlight the power of citizen science through Nurdle Patrol: the surprising results from global data collection, stories from volunteers in the field, and how this movement is influencing real-world policy to keep plastics out of our oceans.