Biscayne Bay is strikingly beautiful, aesthetically stunning, with awe-inspiring views. It is an enchanting landscape dotted with channel islands, beaches, sandbars, inlets, coves, and mangrove patches.

The mangroves, in particular, create a remarkable boundary line where the divinity of nature clashes with the chaos of our modern world. This pristine environment acts like the kidneys of the bay, filtering and capturing the huge amounts of plastic debris that somehow, someway end up in our bay.

The amount of plastic that collects in certain mangrove patches of the bay stuns the conscience and paralyzes your spirit. You get to see firsthand the harm we are causing to our environment and to the wildlife that calls the bay home! And even worse, all the plastic bags, plastic water bottles, ghost netting, lobster traps, shoes and toothbrushes, plastic buckets, and styrofoam ruin the raw and stunning beauty of the bay. Simply put, the bay looks better without trash, and no one can argue with that. Simply put, we refuse to stand by with hands crossed as the rest of the city trashes our treasure.

The motivation has always been to leave the place better than you found it. The task is daunting and undignified, but you feel compelled to clean up, to pick up some trash, even if it is just a bag or a bucket of it. It eases the conscience and makes one feel that at least someone is doing something about it. It is an attempt to bring back some beauty and order to the chaos unfolding before you.

Most everyone is unaware of what you do, but the wildlife seems to notice, and without fail, your efforts are rewarded. On those days that we picked up trash, we got to see a turtle, a dolphin, a nurse shark, a horseshoe crab, an egret, or an osprey.

How did it all start ?

But it all started innocently enough with the kids during our Friday sails when I used to conduct a STEM program. All we wanted to do was land on a secluded beach and enjoy a snack, but we were always met with the same response: “You can’t be here; this is private property, and if you don’t leave, we’ll have to call the cops.”

I said to myself, “This can’t be right. We just want to stop sailing for a few minutes, beach the boat, have a snack, and be on our merry way.” One day, we showed up at a small private beach, and the security guard sternly told us to leave or he would be forced to call the cops. We left, but not without noticing how dirty the beach was!

The next Friday, I told the kids that we would be returning to the beach. Many kids were dismayed to hear this and tried warning me about the security guard’s warning and that it was a bad idea to go back.

I reassured the kids that this time things would be different. I told them I had a trick up my sleeve, like a magician, and that we would be welcomed at the beach by the guard. Funny enough, that Friday, the wind seemed to be taking us directly to that private beach, as if it was our destiny to go there.

A few kids were extremely worried, so I told them we would be collecting data on the important issue of plastic pollution. With 6 kids on board, I instructed them that everyone would give me 10 full minutes of frantic trash picking to find out how much trash a motivated human could pick up in an hour.

We landed on the beach as far from the security guard as possible, and I handed out 6 plastic bags, putting the kids to work for those 10 hectic minutes. “Chain gang style,” I screamed, “I want everyone busily picking up trash.” I decided to join them and pick up trash myself.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the security guard heading our way, visibly angry and kicking up sand as he walked over. As soon as he saw what was unfolding, his demeanor changed, and he opened up the conversation by saying, “Thank you.”

I told the kids to keep working while I went to talk to the security guard and explain to him why we had invaded his private beach. He told us that if we were willing to clean up the beach, we were more than welcome to come and visit. The kids could hardly believe it. We went from being trespassers to being welcomed guests.

That day, we all left with the understanding that we held the key to the bay. No longer would we be scolded and asked to leave; instead, we would be welcomed guests no matter where we showed up. It goes without saying that we never sailed again without our trash bags.

Bragging Rights!

Many politicians may talk about a sustainable future and green jobs, but actions speak louder than words. While they talk, we are actively writing a chapter on the subject. Our business not only boasts a zero-carbon footprint, as we rely solely on wind or paddle power, but when you consider the extensive amount of trash we have picked up over the years, I dare say we have achieved a negative carbon footprint.

However, despite our dedication to sustainability, neither the city of Miami nor Dade County has shown any willingness to open their doors and support our business. This lack of support speaks volumes about their true commitment to sustainable businesses and initiatives.