Watson Island Cleanup ICC 2023

Join us for the world’s largest, one-day volunteer effort for our oceans and waterways, and show your commitment to reducing marine debris, along with millions of volunteers from across the globe! Spearheaded globally by the Ocean Conservancy, VolunteerCleanup.org organizes Miami-Dade’s local participation in this annual event with 50+ simultaneous shoreline cleanups around the county and is made possible by the generous support of our presenting sponsors Covanta and Boucher Brothers, with additional support from Blackstone Charitable Foundation, The Brady Hunter Foundation, Benjamin & Gloria Joannou, Jr. Family Conservation Fund, City of Miami Beach, The Miami Foundation, Loud And Live, and Miami-Dade County RER-DERM At this specific site, sponsored by Coastal Waste & Recycling, the Miami Yacht Club and Jungle Island are partnering with Blue Scholars, Big Blue & You, and Sereia Films to host cleanup volunteers from both land and water (by paddle-craft) along the shores of Watson Island to remove debris, conduct citizen science and raise awareness to help #SaveBiscayneBay. With a full lineup of additional offerings, including a volunteer lunch and live music, an impactful and enjoyable experience will be had by all. Kicking off at 9:30am, we invite ALL registered volunteers to check in. Following welcome remarks, instructions and safety guidelines, volunteers will receive their cleanup supplies (buckets/gloves). The cleanup, weigh-in, sort and data count will run from 10am-12pm with partner organization Big Blue & You conducting their Break Free From Plastic brand audit to determine what companies produced the most plastic litter. At 12:00pm final data figures will be announced. At 12pm, the celebration begins! Miami Yacht Club and the Rotary Club of Miami, will come together to provide a waterfront lunch for participating volunteers, with live music.  Cleanup volunteers will be invited to sit back, relax and lounge with us until 2pm when the sea breeze will fill our sails and whisk us away. Registration is required to participate. Where possible, please have guests in your party RSVP individually so we can ensure they get all the information and details about the event and we can accurately plan for turnout. We will provide buckets/garbage bags, gloves, and a souvenir tote bag with this year’s marine animal theme, the seahorse!  VOLUNTEER DETAILS: 

• Free parking will be located in the neighboring Jungle Island parking garage. Signs will be posted to direct volunteers.
• Check-in will be located at the entrance to the Miami Yacht Club at 1001 MacArthur Causeway. All volunteers MUST check-in and sign a waiver.
• This event is suitable for ages 6+. Youth, ages 15 and under, MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian. If you are 16-17 years old and coming without a parent or guardian, you must have a parent/guardian Print, Sign and Return the waiver in advance.
• Dress for the weather and wear appropriate foot-wear. This particular shoreline is rocky with trees so you must wear closed-toe shoes like sneakers (no flip-flops or sandals).
• Reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and sun protection (sunglasses, hat and lightweight long-sleeve clothing) are recommended.
• If you have gloves, bring them. We will provide gloves but cannot guarantee they will be in your size. We suggest reusable work, garden or dish gloves.
• Bring water in a reusable container. Let’s reduce waste and refuse single-use disposable plastic water bottles. Refilling stations will be available.
• Community service hours are provided and a certificate will be emailed following the event. Please bring any forms that require our signature.

PADDLE-CRAFT VOLUNTEER DETAILS: 

• You must supply your own personal paddle-craft (SUP, kayak, canoe) and flotation device, and be skilled to operate forward motion, stopping, turning and balance.
• Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet, as well as provide sun protection. Some wading on unstable ground or in the water may be necessary to collect trash.
• Understand that this event is weather dependent. If conditions on the water are not suitable for paddling, volunteer participants will be advised to not enter the water and instead, remain on land to participate.

*Read more about the history and impact of the International Coastal Cleanup here: https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/