HELPING HANDS
1/30/2007 11:28:54 AM by Stacy Wynn
Volunteering on, in and around the water is quite possibly one of the most fun activities you’ll ever experience — plus, you’ll get to work on your tan while making the world a better place.
A day on the water is one of the best ways to spend free time — whether boating, fishing, diving or volunteering. Although the latter may not be on your to-do list yet, there are plenty of ways to help the marine environment while making new like-minded friends and earning the satisfaction of a job well done. Plus, you get to go to the occasional really great “thank you” party. The following list contains some of the more interesting projects seeking volunteers; one even gives you a great seat at the world’s largest boat parade. While Florida has a lot of groups to choose from because of its unique ecosystem and 12 months of near-summer, many of these projects are national, and if not, you can probably find a similar program in your area.
Artificial Reef Program & Urban Fishing
Artificial reefs help to protect natural reefs from the stresses both natural and human-created and promote recreational fishing and sport diving in coastal waters. These “reefs” can be formed from a variety of objects including steel hulled ships, army tanks, commercial aircraft and specially designed reef “balls” or “modules.” Miami-Dade County has a very active artificial reef program. The program benefits from donated materials and services, as well as volunteers. One of the most consistent volunteers/organizations is the Atlantic Gamefish Foundation (AGF), headed by president and director Mr. Cliff Kunde. This group has assisted in cleaning and preparing ships seized by U.S. Customs for sinking as reefs.
“There are a number of artificial reef sites in Biscayne Bay that hold quality fish,” says Kunde. “By putting some structure (underneath the water), we are going to have some fish.” AGF also sponsors fishing clinics and tournaments for kids from urban communities. For more information, call the Department of Environmental Resource Management [DERM] at 305.372.6789 or visit miamidade.gov/derm/reefs/home.asp.
Biscayne Bay Restoration
Concern about environmental conditions in Miami’s famous Biscayne Bay has always been on the radar since the beginning of active restoration and enhancement of this unique ecosystem. In the ensuing years, DERM has restored more than 300 acres of mangroves and coastal wetlands. The projects are headed by Gary Milano, and volunteers are needed. One participating noteworthy group is the students at Southwest Senior High School and their teacher Maria Navarro, who have planted a considerable amount of mangroves at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. “In the past few decades, we’ve made a lot of progress restoring habitat,” says Milano. “I think most people recognize the importance of what we’re doing.”
Today, Biscayne Bay is much more ecologically stable, but there is still work to be done. For more information, call 305.372.6851 or visit miamidade.gov/derm/Ecosystems/biscayne_bay.asp.
Officer Snook
Created locally, acting globally: non-profit work doesn’t get much better than that. The Officer Snook Water Pollution Program was initially created in 1993 by Jennifer Sevin, then a 17-year-old high school student, for the purpose of “educating children about the causes, effects and solutions to water pollution.” The following year, the program was incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard Sea Partners Campaign, and now reaches a nationwide and international audience. The Officer Snook Program has educated well over 1.2 million students and more than 65,000 educators nationally.
Officer Snook has also been embraced by the National Clean Boating Campaign, and strives to bring its message across at popular boat shows among other venues.
For more information on how to assist Officer Snook or to get Officer Snook materials for a classroom or group, contact the Officer Snook Water Pollution Program, c/o Youth Environmental Programs, Inc. at 305.672.7675.
Reef Check California
Formed in 1996, Reef Check is an ocean conservation organization focused on saving temperate reefs in California and coral reefs around the globe. Reef Check California monitors more than 1,000 miles of marine ecosystem along the coastline. The diverse bionetwork includes kelp forests and rocky reefs with a wide variety of marine life. The organization is comprised of a network of knowledgeable and concerned helpers who believe in the sustainable use and conservation of near-shore marine resources. Volunteers are trained to carry out surveys of near shore reef and record critical data on the status of key indicator species.
“Coastal development, over-fishing, and marine pollution are not only threatening the oceans themselves, but are also upsetting Earth’s delicate balance,” says actress and Reef Check spokesperson Kelly Hu.
All in all, Reef Check volunteers are active in more than 80 countries and territories. Globally, Reef Check is seeking volunteer marine scientists, dive masters, dive guides, recreational divers, community organizers, businessmen, PR and media people, students and the general public. For more information, call 310.230.2371 or visit reefcheck.org.
Shake-A-Leg
Shake-A-Leg Miami, Inc. offers accessible watersports for education and recreation with an emphasis placed on those with physical disabilities, youth and families. They are perhaps best known for their disabled sailing program that has received national attention, but the good work doesn’t stop there.
“We are a unique and effective educational and recreational program, but it’s more than that. It’s a place to meet and to launch not just boats, but dreams,’’ says Harry Horgan, Shake-A-Leg’s president and CEO.
Volunteers with and without sailing experience are sought as skippers, crew, dock assistants, office assistants, sailing instructors, racing instructors, fundraisers, boat maintenance help, computer/website assistance and for special events. As sailing courses are available year-round, graduates can move up to being skippers, instructors, or able-bodied crew. In addition to the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, volunteers qualify for a Captain Membership after donating 12 hours a month for three months, and upon continuing to donated 12 hours a month. Community service opportunities are offered to high school and college students. For more information, contact the volunteer manager for details at 305.858.5550 or visit shakealegmiami.org.
Waterway Cleanup
Waterway cleanups occur across the country. The most notable of these annual events is the huge Waterway Cleanup in Broward County that is now in its 31st year in 2007. The 2006 one-day cleanup, the county’s largest environmental event, attracted more than 3,000 volunteers who worked at 33 waterside locations and hauled trash aboard private boats to transfer to dump sites. A total of 62 tons of trash and debris was removed from 300 miles of waterways, canals and shorelines.
“If you asked someone to slosh around in the water and pick up someone else’s garbage, you would think you wouldn’t get a lot of takers, but we get thousands every year,” says Frank Herhold, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF).
No pre-registration is necessary. Volunteers simply show up at one of the approved sites on the day of the cleanup and receive an official Waterway Clean-up t-shirt as well as gloves and garbage bags. Volunteers are advised to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
After all the work is done, in addition to the satisfaction of a cleaner waterway, all who participate are invited to join in the well-attended Trash Bash appreciation party. Food, drinks, prizes and DJ entertainment is provided as well as activities for the children. It’s a great place to meet and mingle with fellow volunteers. For more information, contact the Marine Industries of South Florida at 954.524.2733 or visit miasf.org.
Winterfest Boat Parade
Perhaps the most exciting waterway projects to volunteer for is to act as a “control boat” for the nationally televised Winterfest Boat Parade. Control boats are stationed throughout the parade route to facilitate the parade by keeping spectator boats from crossing the parade route, among other tasks. This places the volunteer’s boat in a prime position to see the colorful, lively boats pass with a virtually unobstructed view.
“The parade is truly Florida’s most beautiful and unique attraction,” says Lisa Scott-Founds, Winterfest president and CEO.
Land positions are also available. The parade takes over Birch State Park along the Intracoastal and turns it into a festive viewing site. About 150 volunteers are needed, in shifts, from 8:00 a.m. until the parade ends. Tasks include hanging banners and general setting up for a really great party. About 75 volunteers are also needed to man the silent and live auctions and check-in guests at the Winterfest Black Tie Ball, which traditionally occurs a week before the parade.
Other ways to help this event which promotes all the fun and excitement of boating include answering phones and selling tickets. Students who can earn school credit can distribute posters. While this parade, now in its 35th year, takes place annually in Fort Lauderdale, over its three-and-a-half decades, Winterfest has inspired boat parades throughout the country in cold and warm climates. For more information on volunteering with Winterfest, call Kathy Kelleher at 954.767.0686 or visit winterfestparade.com.