Event combines hands-on environmental stewardship with education about protecting sea turtles during nesting season
The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS) will host the third annual beach clean-up in celebration of World Sea Turtle Day on Tuesday, June 16, at Crandon Park. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants should meet at the Paradise Cove Shelter at the North Beach entrance of the park located at 6767 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149.
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Hosted by the Miami-Dade County Sea Turtle Conservation Program (STCP) and Volunteer in Parks (VIP) programs of PROS, the event highlights the importance of protecting sea turtles during nesting season, which runs annually from April 1 through October 31. Held during the peak of nesting activity, the clean-up will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about the conservation efforts that protect nesting females, incubating eggs, and emerging hatchlings.
In addition to the beach clean-up, attendees will have access to EcoAdventures and Zoo Miami, both divisions of PROS, Miami Waterkeeper, and the Key Biscayne Community Foundation.
PROS Director Christina White said, “Connecting people with parks is at the heart of our mission. Events like this allow residents to learn firsthand the important work being done by the county to protect our sea turtles and our coastal environment. When people become educated on the importance of protecting our natural resources, they become advocates, and this is critical to ensuring these species thrive for generations to come.”
Following the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, STCP was established in 1980 operating under a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The group is dedicated to monitoring, surveying, and protecting sea turtles on Miami-Dade County’s public beaches. The program’s team of scientists, biologists, and conservation professionals work year-round to safeguard nesting habitat and collect critical data that supports statewide conservation efforts. Complementing these efforts, Zoo Miami operates Miami-Dade County’s first sea turtle hospital, providing specialized care for injured and ill sea turtles before returning them to their natural habitats.
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The annual World Sea Turtle Day beach clean-up began in 2023 at Haulover Park, one of the County’s most active sea turtle nesting beaches. Today, PROS manages and monitors more than 19 miles of coastline across seven municipalities, including Crandon Park and Haulover Park. These beaches provide critical nesting habitat for various species of sea turtles, most notably the threatened loggerhead sea turtle, which accounts for the majority of nests documented each year along Miami-Dade County’s shoreline. Each year, approximately 600 hatchlings reach the ocean.
Registration for the June 16 beach clean-up is now open and can be completed at: Register for the World Sea Turtle Day Beach Clean-Up
To learn more about the Sea Turtle Conservation Program, visit: Sea Turtle Conservation Program Information
Event Details
World Sea Turtle Day Beach Clean-Up
Tuesday. June 16
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Crandon Park
North Beach Entrance, Paradise Cove Shelter
6767 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149.
*Free parking for all participants
About Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department (PROS) is one of the largest and most diverse park systems in the United States, encompassing more than 300 parks and over 40,000 acres of active and passive parkland, as well as protected natural areas. PROS is dedicated to enhancing quality of life through innovative placemaking, health and wellness initiatives, and the preservation and stewardship of natural resources. Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (@miamidadeparks), or visit our website at miamidade.gov/parks for the latest news, programs, and events from Miami-Dade County Parks.
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