West Point Preserve Mangrove Paddle Cleanup 10/26/2024
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2024 @ 9:00am-12:00pm
Join Key Biscayne Community Foundation’s Citizen Science Program, FillABag, Miami EcoAdventures, and Free Plastic for an impactful and unforgettable mangrove cleanup in West Point Preserve on the Northwest side of Key Biscayne! This will be a guided tour into Biscayne Bay and the mangroves to remove marine debris from this vital and hard-to-reach habitat. This cleanup is particularly important as mangroves host many vulnerable species that live within these vital and diverse ecosystems, and the recent storms have likely added more debris to this area.
Our event is funded through a generous grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District. We will have water and snacks, plus some prizes to win after the clean up! For the cleanup, you will need to bring or rent your own paddleboard/kayak, and life vest/personal floatation device.
Kayak/paddle board rentals: A limited number of tandem (2-person) kayaks, single person kayaks, and paddleboards will be available for rent from PADL. Click here to reserve a rented watercraft if you do not have your own; prices will vary depending on the type of watercraft you choose (tandem kayaks = $60, single kayaks = $40, paddle boards = $40). All PADL rentals include life jacket, whistle, and delivery/pickup at Crandon Marina. You do not need to change the delivery address, this order link is specific to our cleanup and all watercraft/equipment will be brought to the parking area where we will enter West Point Preserve. No refunds can be issued for watercraft rentals for cancellations made after 10/24/2024 or for no-shows on the day of the cleanup. The PADL rental link will close at the end of the day 10/24/2024 and the cleanup registration will close by 5:00pm on 10/25/2024.
All participants will be provided:
- reusable gloves (if you have your own reusable working or gardening type gloves, bring them as we cannot guarantee we will have your size)
- buckets
- bags
- guidance on the water by a team of experienced local environmentalists
Participants should wear sun protective clothing and closed-toed shoes that can get wet. Please bring water in a reusable water bottle and wear reef-safe sunscreen. Download the Ocean Conservancy’s CleanSwell app to participate in the Citizen Science activity to log, tally and measure the impact of your cleanup.
Minors aged 9-17 are welcome as long as they are comfortable and can be safe in the water, and are accompanied by a parent or guardian. We can provide Community Service Hours for students upon request. You will get a maximum of 3 hours for this cleanup.
Waivers are required to participate:
- Waivers are available at this LINK.
- If you are under 18 and coming without a parent or guardian, you must have a parent/guardian print and sign the waiver HERE in advance, and bring it with you to the cleanup.
- Paper waivers will be provided the day of the event in the event you forget to sign online, however we prefer to keep our printing to a minimum. Therefore, filling out the waiver online is preferrable.
Questions? Please contact Rumya at 305-361-2770 or [email protected].
Ticket Information
Additional Details
What Should Volunteers Bring? - Closed Toed Shoes, Water in a Resuable Bottle, Hat & Sunglasses
What Will Be Provided? - Gloves, Garbage Bags, Pickers, Buckets
Meeting Spot Details - We will meet in the back of the parking lot at 160 Harbor Drive.
Parking Info - Parking is available in the back lot behind the Crossbridge (Presbyterian) Church at 160 Harbor Drive. If entering the Key, you will take a right on Harbor Drive, go through the round-about, pass the entrance to St. Agnes School/Church on the right, then pass the Prebyterian School parking lot, and finally turn right into the Crossbridge Church lot. Then head to the back side of the lot behind the building.
Organizer
Our mission is to have citizen and professional scientists monitor and protect resources and to share information on the most critical natural resources of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key.
Established by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, the Citizen Scientist Project seeks to have Key residents work with professional scientists to achieve four goals:
1) Learn about the natural resources of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key;
2) Experience the natural resources of the Key through participation in field trips;
3) Participate in citizen scientist projects, which are directed at protecting the natural resources of the Island; and
4) Suggest projects for the Citizen Scientist Project.