The 12 Days of Biscayne Bay
In partnership with the global GivingTuesday movement celebrated every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Blue Scholars Initiative launched GIVING BAY DAY on December 1, 2020 to express gratitude for Miami’s crown jewel. GivingTuesday is a global day to focus on generosity and community. We recognize that every act counts and that everyone has something to give so we invite the South Florida community to join us annually for The 12 Days of Biscayne Bay.
Tune in each day to learn from local leaders what actions can be taken to support Biscayne Bay and surrounding watershed. From being a more conscious consumer, to rewilding the landscape, to speaking out on important issues, positive impact happens in many ways.
While taking action, please share your support through social media and take a moment to post a photo or video with your response to: “What does Biscayne Bay mean to YOU?” Be sure to tag us! @BlueScholarsInitiative
“These videos are awesome! You’ve done a great job. I love the variety, the clear and concise information, and the key messages and helpful suggestions. Plus all the underlying collaboration. Charge on!”
2023
Nov 28 - Dec 9
the 12 days of biscayne bay
A daily call to action to #SaveBiscayneBay
Welcome to Day 1!
Today's CALL TO ACTION:
Foster ocean stewardship through Biscayne Bay connections.
- Presented by Meredith Bass, Blue Scholars Initiative
Day 2's CALL TO ACTION:
Champion your local waterways through the “1,000 Eyes on the Water” program.
- Presented by Erin Cover, Miami Waterkeeper
Day 3's CALL TO ACTION:
Address environmental threats and raise awareness through sport.
- Presented by Merle Liivand, Athlete & Ocean Ambassador
Day 4's CALL TO ACTION:
Eliminate single-use plastics to keep our ocean and neighborhoods clean.
- Presented by Maggie Winchester-Weiler, Ocean Conservancey
Day 5's CALL TO ACTION:
Help promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida’s natural world through the Florida Master Naturalist Program.
- Presented by Ana Zangroniz, Florida Sea Grant
Day 6's CALL TO ACTION:
Enhance coastal environments as a Museum Volunteer for the Environment (MUVE).
- Presented by Lauren Reilly, Frost Science MUVE
Day 7's CALL TO ACTION:
Utilize art to communicate science and encourage new ways of confronting the climate crisis.
- Presented by Beatriz Chachamovits, Environmental Artist
Day 8's CALL TO ACTION:
Create STEAM learning opportunities to help youth explore, understand, and positively impact the world.
- Presented by Anne Haywood, Mountain to Sea Education
Day 9's CALL TO ACTION:
Reduce your environmental footprint and promote environmentally sustainable behaviors.
- Presented by Barbara Martinez-Guerrero, Dream in Green
Day 10's CALL TO ACTION:
Reduce your environmental footprint and promote environmentally sustainable behaviors.
- Presented by Amy Exum, The Barnacle Society
Day 11's CALL TO ACTION:
SEAS the day and create a path to advocacy and opportunity through swimming.
- Presented by Karen Beber Futernick, Surfrider Miami
Day 12's CALL TO ACTION:
Join the South Florida community to Celebrate Biscayne Bay.
- Presented by Adam Steckley, Blue Scholars Initiative
2022
Welcome to Giving Bay Day and the first of The 12 Days of Biscayne Bay!
Day 1 - CALL TO ACTION:
Get outside and connect with Biscayne Bay
- Presented by Blue Scholars’ Co-Directors, Adam Steckley and Meredith Bass
Day 2 - CALL TO ACTION:
Eliminate nutrient pollution to restore Biscayne Bay
- Presented by Irela Bague, Chief Bay Officer for Miami-Dade County
Day 3 - CALL TO ACTION:
Partner in research and outreach activities through the DISCOVERY Yacht Program
- Presented by Tony Gilbert, Program Director for The International SeaKeepers Society
Day 4 - CALL TO ACTION:
Support coral conservation and restoration to improve coastal resiliency
- Presented by Dalton Hesley, Senior Research Associate II for Rescue a Reef
Day 5 - CALL TO ACTION:
Understand the mutual influence of “Ocean LitterAtSea”
- Presented by Rodrigo Butori, Founder of Plastic Fisherman
Day 6 - CALL TO ACTION:
Reduce single-use plastic waste as a sustainable business
- Presented by Caiti Waks, Esq., Co-Founder & President of Debris Free Oceans
Day 7 - CALL TO ACTION:
Become an engaged and active citizen to #SaveBiscayneBay
- Presented by Andrew Otazo, Ocean Steward
Day 8 - CALL TO ACTION:
Expose environmental threats to safeguard Biscayne Bay
- Presented by Louis Aguirre, Local 10 News Anchor for WPLG
Day 9 - CALL TO ACTION:
Pursue your passion in marine science
- Presented by TJ Morrell, Co-Founder of MORAES
Day 10 - CALL TO ACTION:
Be a conscious consumer to have a positive social, economic and environmental impact
- Presented by Patrick Rynne, Founder of Waterlust
Day 11 - CALL TO ACTION:
Commit to being a force for good in the world
- Presented by Miren Oca, Owner of Ocaquatics Swim School
Day 12 - CALL TO ACTION:
Celebrate Biscayne Bay!
- Presented by Blue Scholars Initiative, Pilates For The People, Full Circle Coaching, Ocaquatics Swim School, Rescue a Reef, The International SeaKeepers Society, Plastic Fisherman, MORAES, The Barnacle Society and AMLgMATD
Giving Bay Day
Sponsor
Giving Bay Day Partner Organizations
2021
Welcome to Giving Bay Day and the first of The 12 Days of Biscayne Bay! Today's CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Blue Scholars’ Co-Directors, Adam Steckley and Meredith Bass
Day 2 - CALL TO ACTION:
Report sick, injured or orphaned brown pelicans, seabirds and other native wildlife.
- Presented by Hannah McDougall, Director of Communications for Pelican Harbor Seabird Station
Giving Bay Day support from the Medina Family Foundation
Day 3 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by J.P. Brooker, Director of Florida Conservation for Ocean Conservancy
Giving Bay Day support from The Bailey Family
Day 4 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Emilio Lopez, Chief Executive Officer of SOP Technologies
Giving Bay Day support from Daniel Flores & Rebecca John
Day 5 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Anastasia Mikhalochkina, Rise Above Plastics Coordinator for Surfrider Miami
Giving Bay Day support from Biscayne Marine Partners
Day 6 - CALL TO ACTION:
Buy in bulk and refill personal food containers to eliminate excess product packaging waste.
- Presented by Pamela Barrera, Co-Founder of Verde Market
Giving Bay Day support from Lowell International Realty
Day 7 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Paola Ferreira, Executive Director of Tropical Audubon Society
Giving Bay Day support from Newton Bay
Day 8 - CALL TO ACTION:
Help restore native oysters as a tool to mitigate algal blooms.
- Presented by Alberto “Tico” Aran, Founder of Watershed Action Lab
Giving Bay Day support from Sky Tool & Fastener
Day 9 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Jennifer Possley, Conservation Program Manager at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Giving Bay Day support from Motiv
Day 10 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Rachel Silverstein, Executive Director of Miami Waterkeeper
Giving Bay Day support provided by Neptunic
Day 11 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Irela Bague, Chief Bay Officer for Miami-Dade County
Giving Bay Day support provided by Sanar Naturals
Day 12 - CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Blue Scholars Initiative, Fill A Bag, The International SeaKeepers Society and MORAES
Giving Bay Day support provided by the Medina Family Foundation
2020
Welcome to Day 1 of The 12 Days of Biscayne Bay! Today's CALL TO ACTION:
Get involved and donate your time and/or your dollars to serve one of the many nonprofit organizations conducting research, education, conservation and advocacy in, on and around Biscayne Bay.
- Presented by Adam Steckley, Co-Founder/Operations Director for Blue Scholars Initiative
Day 2's CALL TO ACTION:
Post and share online media about Biscayne Bay to inform your network of friends and followers.
- Presented by Meredith Bass, Program Director for Blue Scholars Initiative
Day 3’s CALL TO ACTION (1/2):
Organize a neighborhood/coastal cleanup or a letter writing campaign to address a specific issue impacting the bay.
- Presented by Dara Schoenwald, Executive Director for VolunteerCleanup.Org
Day 3's CALL TO ACTION (2/2):
Organize a neighborhood/coastal cleanup or a letter writing campaign to address a specific issue impacting the bay.
- Presented by Melissa Abdo, Ph.D., Regional Director for National Parks Conservation Association
Day 4's CALL TO ACTION:
Reduce the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in your yard or eliminate the need altogether by planting natives.
- Presented by Steve Woodmansee, Owner/Biologist at Pro Native Consulting
Day 5's CALL TO ACTION:
Understand the sources of and solutions to stormwater runoff.
- Presented by Scott Stripling, Program Director for Surfrider Miami’s Blue Water Task Force
Day 6's CALL TO ACTION:
Properly maintain septic systems to prevent leaks.
- Presented by Mary Jacketti, Ph.D. Student in Environmental Engineering at the University of Miami
BONUS ACT:
While taking action, please share your support through social media and take a moment to post a photo or video with your response to:
“WHAT DOES BISCAYNE BAY MEAN TO YOU?”
Be sure to tag us! @BlueScholarsInitiative
Day 7's CALL TO ACTION:
Voice your concern about pollution and/or illegal activities impacting Biscayne Bay and it’s surrounding watershed.
- Presented by Sophie Ringel, Founder of Clean Miami Beach
Day 8's CALL TO ACTION:
Be a conscious consumer with everything you buy… avoid disposable materials that often make up the bulk of marine debris and make ocean-friendly choices when eating seafood.
- Presented by Sarah Curry, Founder of Sereia Films
Day 9's CALL TO ACTION:
Practice smart recreating on the water, including the use of reef-safe sunscreen, for your own safety and the wellbeing of marine life.
- Presented by Capt. Jeremy Garza, Eco-Adventure Guide for the Biscayne National Park Institute
Day 10's CALL TO ACTION:
Plant mangroves to help sequester carbon dioxide, grow the salt-tolerant native tree canopy and reinforce our living coastline.
- Presented by Xavier Cortada, Artist and Founder of Xavier Cortada Studio and Projects
Day 11's CALL TO ACTION:
- Presented by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County
Day 12, the final day's CALL TO ACTION:
Get outside, explore nature and enjoy Biscayne Bay! And if you see litter, please pick it up.
- Presented by Adam Steckley, Co-Founder/Operations Director for Blue Scholars Initiative and Maggie Winchester, Program Associate for The International SeaKeepers Society
IS A GLOBAL DAY TO FOCUS ON GENEROSITY AND COMMUNITY. EVERY ACT COUNTS AND EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO GIVE.