Baynanza: Biscayne Bay Clean Up Day
This event has passed.
As the sun rises over the glistening waters of Biscayne Bay, residents and visitors alike gear up for a day of environmental action and community engagement. Saturday, April 13 marks the 42nd edition of Baynanza, the annual Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day sponsored by the Miami-Dade County Division of Environmental Resource Management (DERM). It’s a celebration of our beloved coastal ecosystem and a collective effort to preserve its natural beauty from North Miami Beach down to Homestead.
How to Get Involved
Participants looking to join should register online and select their top two locations. This ensures that each site has a fair amount of volunteers. Registered participants will receive a commemorative Baynanza shirt at the end of the event to thank them for their efforts. Students can also log their time as community service hours. All participants can sign up for updates or call 305-372-6710 for more information.
What to Expect
On the morning of April 13, approximately 5,000 volunteers will gather at 33 designated cleanup sites along the shores of Biscayne Bay, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. From 9 a.m. to noon, the atmosphere will be buzzing with camaraderie as individuals, local organizations, and school and business groups join together. Armed with gloves, trash bags and determination, teams will fan out along the area, collecting debris from mangrove shorelines, coastal wetlands, vegetated beach dune systems, maritime hammocks, coastal strand communities, nearshore seagrass meadows, subtidal sand flats and a variety of intertidal habitats.
Ed Pritchard from the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces department said, "Our team looks forward to Baynanza every year as an opportunity to engage with our citizenry on the topic of marine debris and its impact on our local environment. Baynanza showcases the importance of a healthy Biscayne Bay and creates stewards of these resources through education and action."
What to Wear on Cleanup Day
Volunteers should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty, including long pants, a hat, sunglasses and closed-toe shoes or old sneakers. Don't forget to bring water, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray. Also, bring gloves and trash bags to ensure a safe and sanitary experience.
Baynanza’s Impact
Biscayne Bay is a vital ecosystem, home to diverse marine life and habitats. Its mangrove shorelines, coastal wetlands, seagrass meadows and coral reefs are all part of its rich biodiversity. However, these habitats face threats from pollution, habitat destruction and climate change. By participating in Baynanza, volunteers play a crucial role in preserving these ecosystems for future generations to enjoy. Since 1982, the annual Baynanza has resulted in approximately 500 tons of trash and debris collected and removed from the shore of Biscayne Bay and its tidal tributaries.
"Baynanza was the first beach cleanup that I took my daughter to when she was 3 years old," said Alexandra Martinez, a Baynanza participant. "It was a fundamental experience for her to see the community coming together to care for our nature and clearly helped plant seeds of awareness and personal responsibility for our bay."
About Baynanza’s Mission
The mission of Baynanza extends beyond just cleaning up our shoreline. It's about fostering environmental stewardship, educating the community and promoting sustainability year-round. Baynanza celebrates Biscayne Bay and its significance as one of the most important ecological, economic and cultural features in Greater Miami & Miami Beach. The event’s reach has broadened to include a variety of inland cleanup sites to expand opportunities for participation and further develop the messaging that our actions on land can positively or negatively impact our waterways and Biscayne Bay.
"Now going on its fifth decade, the Baynanza Biscayne Bay Cleanup has become a household name in our community. Baynanza brings together thousands of volunteers each year to help clean and celebrate the bay,” said Lisa Spadafina, Director of DERM. "Its importance goes beyond the tons of trash removed from our shoreline each year and is key to raising awareness about the health of the bay and the role each of us plays in its recovery."
About Biscayne Bay
Spanning approximately 430 square miles, Biscayne bay serves as a vital habitat for marine species, including dolphins, manatees and migratory birds. Its mangrove-lined shores provide critical nurseries for marine life. Biscayne Bay's seagrass beds play a crucial role in maintaining water quality and stabilizing the coastline. This unique ecosystem not only supports rich biodiversity but also serves as a recreational playground offering opportunities for boating, fishing, snorkeling and wildlife watching.
Being a Good Environmental Steward Every Day
Community members can embrace the ideals and ethics of Baynanza year-round by becoming environmental stewards and recognizing that their individual actions, when made collectively, can result in great change. The county has created a list of tips to Keep Biscayne Bay clean. People can also participate in collecting debris, removing invasive plants and habitat restoration with one of the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) preserves. Visitors and residents can work together to protect the natural beauty of Biscayne Bay.
By: Shley Suarez-Burgos | March 4, 2024
Earth Day