Biscayne National Park Beach Clean-Up

Biscayne National Park, in partnership with Clean Miami Beach, invite you to participate in two special clean-ups around the beautiful waters of Elliot Key. By taking part in this amazing experience, you will contribute to the removal of trash and debris, while supporting the natural habitat and protecting the delicate ecosystem.

This volunteer experience is best suited for volunteers with a moderate to high level of physical fitness and balance. Work includes wading in waist deep water, walking over sharp rocks, bending down and lifting heavy objects, standing on moving boats, getting in and out of boats from waist deep water, working in heat and sun for 2+ hours and can be strenuous. 

REQUIRED SIGNED FORMS: All volunteers are required to fill out and return all forms before the day of the events. 

DATES: 
   Saturday, March 04 2023
   Saturday, April 01 2023

GROUPS:
Before the event, volunteers will be divided in 2 groups.
 GROUP 1: Volunteers traveling on main boat with Biscayne  National Park Team (max 12 volunteers).
 GROUP 2: Volunteers traveling on boat from different locations (max 30 volunteers). These volunteers will be informed in advance of the time and location where they will meet the captain and boat assigned to them. It is extremely important to arrive on time.

TIMES: 
  08:00a: Volunteers from GROUP 1 arrive at Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 9700 SW 328th Street, Homestead FL, 33033. 
  09:30a-10:00a: All volunteers arrive at oceanside Elliott Key.
  12:00p-12:30p: Lunch break.

  12:30p-01:30p: Weigh, record, and pack-out debris.

  01:30p-02:00p: Travel back to park HQ.

  02:00p-03:00p: Unload and dispose of debris.

PARKING AT BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK: Volunteers can park at the lot next to visitors center. For security purposes, do not leave any valuables in vehicles.
 

CLEAN-UP LOCATION: Beach and Shoreline surrounding Point Adelle on Elliott Key (approx. N 25.457481°, W 80.190326°).

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WHAT TO WEAR: Participants should wear a bathing suit and clothes that can get wet and dirty.  We will be wading in waist deep water and over sharp rocks at points during the day. Lightweight and long sleeves/pants are best to provide protection from the sun and bugs.  Due to the rough terrain, dive booties, old sneakers, or any other durable thick-soled, closed-toe footwear are required (no open-toe shoes are allowed).  We can loan you dive booties for your use if you do not have proper footwear.  A light jacket, hat, and sunglasses are highly recommended.

WHAT TO BRING: Plenty of food and water to last you the day (work is strenuous). Although not necessary, a towel may be useful. If anyone is highly prone to sea sickness, they should bring appropriate medications for the short boat trip.

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WHAT WE WILL PROVIDE: Sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, life jackets, dive booties (for those that need them), water cooler for refills, cooler for lunches, and all work-related gear (such as protective gloves, trash bags, etc.). NOTE: If anyone has allergies/sensitivities and requires a particular brand of sunscreen or bug spray, they should plan to bring their own.
 

WEATHER: If weather is poor and we cannot go out on a boat, an alternate work site either bayside or on the mainland may be visited instead.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Always be safe, and have fun! Thank you for making a positive impact in our environment!