The Blue Scholars World Ocean Weekend Celebration is officially in the books, and it was a huge success! In partnership with ARTSail and Faena Art, we coordinated the first annual zero-waste, ocean festival on June 12th & 13th in celebration of World Ocean Day. All activities were free and open to the public, bringing together South Florida youth and community members to enjoy, engage with, and protect our ONE World Ocean. An estimated 350 people attended the celebration on Saturday and Sunday, taking part in activities ranging from art, recreation and impact to science, education and entertainment. Highlights from the weekend are captured in the photographs below and include:
a 30-minute mile exhibition swim with 31 swimmers
a ceremonial paddle-out with 20+ paddlers
removal of 570 pounds of debris from the beach by 120 volunteers
removal of 20 cubic yards of invasive Scaevola taccada from the dune
a beehive of activity (with buzz) thanks to collaborators AMLgMATD, Dolphins & Rainbows, Merle The Mermaid, Surfrider Miami, PADL, Frost Science MUVE, Stream2Sea, Waterproof Miami, EarthEcho International, Xylem, Blue Water Task Force, VolunteerCleanup.Org, The International SeaKeepers Society, Clean Miami Beach, Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles, Elizabeth Wheaton, Lavazza and the International Ocean Film Festival
THANK YOU to all of the participants who made the First Annual World Ocean Celebration such a success. Special thanks also, to our sponsors, Boucher Brothers and TUUCI, not only for their financial support but also for their in-kind contributions to bring shade and art to the event. We can't wait to celebrate with everyone again in 2022!
Miami Beach Saturday Activation
Art Installation
The #SaveBiscayneBay flag installation reminded us all of the beauty and importance of our beloved Bay, and what led to the catastrophic fish kill of last summer.
by AMLgMATD (with support from Boucher Brothers)
Ocean Mile Swim
The day kicked off with a 30-minute mile challenge open water swim led by a group of 31 swimmers from the Dolphins & Rainbows and Blue Scholars families.
by the dynamic duo, Donald Lutton & Bubba Drody, and the Dolphins & Rainbows Swim Group
Ocean Paddle-Out
20+ surfers and paddlers, along with a few swimmers, participated in the ceremonial paddle-out remembering and honoring fallen peers and the ocean that sustains us all.
by the Miami Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation
Education & Art
The Frost Museum Volunteers for the Environment worked with kids of all ages to create artwork from ocean debris, Waterproof Miami shared postcards designed by Michele Oka Doner honoring Biscayne Bay marine life, and Stream2Sea featured their reef-safe body and hair products.
by Frost Science MUVE, Waterproof Miami and Stream2Sea
Water Quality Testing
Earth Echo International, Xylem and Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force explained the importance of water quality for humans and marine life alike, and taught us how to test it with portable kits.
by EarthEcho International, Xylem and Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force
Beach Cleanup
Three of Miami’s leading community cleanup organizations joined forces for a cleanup on the beach, along the shore and in the parking lot between 35th and 36th Streets. 570 pounds of debris was collected and prevented from entering our ocean.
by VolunteerCleanup.Org, The International SeaKeepers Society and Clean Miami Beach
Dune Restoration
Surfrider Miami led a group-effort to clean and restore the dunes that protect our communities from storm surges and coastal erosion. 20 cubic yards of invasive Scaevola taccada was removed from the dune system clearing the way for native vegetation.
Faena Theater Sunday engagement
ocean talks
Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles, RSMAS, gave an impassioned speech about the importance of coral reefs and what is threatening their very existence. Elizabeth Wheaton, MBRA, discussed what the City of Miami Beach is doing to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change and man-made pollution, including what we can all do to make a difference. Special guest, Merle Liivand, shared her love for the ocean and what led her to merge her athletic prowess with activism.
by Nikki Traylor-Knowles & Elizabeth Wheaton, with special guest, Merle Liivand
International ocean films
The celebration weekend concluded with an inspiring program of ocean-focused films, spanning from short documentary to animation, organized in collaboration with the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival. We were thrilled to welcome its Executive Director, Ana Blanco, who joined us for the evening.
by Ana Blanco, Executive Director of the International Ocean Film Festival
Photos by Blue Scholars Initiative, ARTSail and Faena Art
