Virginia Key Beach Park Paddle Cleanup 10/11/2026
SUNDAY, October 11, 2026 @ 9:30am-12:30pm
Join Key Biscayne Community Foundation’s Citizen Science Program, FillABag, Miami EcoAdventures, and Free Plastic for an impactful and unforgettable mangrove cleanup in Virginia Key Beach Park! This will be a guided tour into northern Biscayne Bay and the mangroves to remove marine debris from this vital and hard-to-reach habitat. This cleanup is particularly important as mangroves host many vulnerable species that live within these vital and diverse ecosystems, and the recent storms have likely added more debris to this area. Our event is funded through a generous grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District. We will have water and snacks, plus some prizes to win after the clean up! For the cleanup, you will need to bring or rent your own paddleboard/kayak, and life vest/personal floatation device.
You must 1) Register on this page AND 2) Aign the online waiver to participate in the cleanup. BOTH are required.
Kayak/paddle board rentals: A limited number of tandem (2-person) kayaks and paddleboards will be available for rent from PADL. Click HERE [Link coming soon] to reserve a rented watercraft if you do not have your own; prices will vary depending on the type of watercraft you choose (tandem kayaks = $60, paddle boards = $40). All PADL rentals include life jacket, whistle, and delivery/pickup. You do not need to change the delivery address, this order link is specific to our cleanup and all watercraft/equipment will be brought to the area where we will launch. Renting watercraft does not automatically register you for the cleanup. No refunds for cancellations of watercraft rentals can be issued after 10/11/2026 or for no-shows on the day of the cleanup. The PADL rental link will close at the end of the day 10/9/2026 and the cleanup registration will close by 5:00pm on 10/10/2026. All participants will be provided:
- Reusable gloves (if you have your own reusable working or gardening type gloves, bring them as we cannot guarantee we will have your size)
- Buckets
- Garbage Bags
- Data collection cards
- Guidance on the water by a team of experienced local environmentalists
Things to remember:
- Participants should wear sun protective clothing and closed-toed shoes that can get wet (even if you are walking as this is a coastal, estuarine site that floods with high tides). Sunglasses and hats are also recommended. For your safety, please do not wear flipflops or sandals that are not meant for rough outdoor use.
- Please bring water in a reusable water bottle (no plastic water bottles!) and wear reef-safe sunscreen. We will have water refills available.
- Download the Ocean Conservancy’s CleanSwell app to participate in the Citizen Science activity to log, tally and measure the impact of your cleanup.
- Minors aged 9-17 are welcome as long as they are comfortable and can be safe in the water, and are accompanied by a parent or guardian. We can provide Community Service Hours for students upon request.
Two waivers are required to participate:
- A paper waiver for Miami-Dade County will be provided on the day of the event.
- All participants must also fill out the waiver form that they receive by email (filling out the waiver does not register you for the event)
- IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD AND PARTICIPATING WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, your parent/guardian MUST fill out the online waiver in advance.
Questions? Please contact Rumya at 305-361-2770 or rumya@keybiscaynefoundation.org. If you are interested in joining and ticket sales are closed, please email Rumya ASAP to find out if there are any cancelations or extra space.
What Should Volunteers Bring?
- Closed Toed Shoes
- Water In Reusable Bottle
- Hat & Sunglasses
What Will Be Provided?
- Gloves
- Garbage Bags
- Water Refills
- Pickers
- Buckets
- Insect Repellent
Parking Information
Parking is available in the grassy area near the PADL station on the east side of Virginia Key Beach Park, near Lamar Lake.
Meeting Spot Details
We will meet by the PADL station near Lamar Lake within Virginia Key Beach Park.
Organizer Information
Virginia Key Beach Park Paddle Cleanup 10/11/2026
About This Event
SUNDAY, October 11, 2026 @ 9:30am-12:30pm
Join Key Biscayne Community Foundation’s Citizen Science Program, FillABag, Miami EcoAdventures, and Free Plastic for an impactful and unforgettable mangrove cleanup in Virginia Key Beach Park! This will be a guided tour into northern Biscayne Bay and the mangroves to remove marine debris from this vital and hard-to-reach habitat. This cleanup is particularly important as mangroves host many vulnerable species that live within these vital and diverse ecosystems, and the recent storms have likely added more debris to this area. Our event is funded through a generous grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District. We will have water and snacks, plus some prizes to win after the clean up! For the cleanup, you will need to bring or rent your own paddleboard/kayak, and life vest/personal floatation device.
You must 1) Register on this page AND 2) Aign the online waiver to participate in the cleanup. BOTH are required.
Kayak/paddle board rentals: A limited number of tandem (2-person) kayaks and paddleboards will be available for rent from PADL. Click HERE [Link coming soon] to reserve a rented watercraft if you do not have your own; prices will vary depending on the type of watercraft you choose (tandem kayaks = $60, paddle boards = $40). All PADL rentals include life jacket, whistle, and delivery/pickup. You do not need to change the delivery address, this order link is specific to our cleanup and all watercraft/equipment will be brought to the area where we will launch. Renting watercraft does not automatically register you for the cleanup. No refunds for cancellations of watercraft rentals can be issued after 10/11/2026 or for no-shows on the day of the cleanup. The PADL rental link will close at the end of the day 10/9/2026 and the cleanup registration will close by 5:00pm on 10/10/2026. All participants will be provided:
- Reusable gloves (if you have your own reusable working or gardening type gloves, bring them as we cannot guarantee we will have your size)
- Buckets
- Garbage Bags
- Data collection cards
- Guidance on the water by a team of experienced local environmentalists
Things to remember:
- Participants should wear sun protective clothing and closed-toed shoes that can get wet (even if you are walking as this is a coastal, estuarine site that floods with high tides). Sunglasses and hats are also recommended. For your safety, please do not wear flipflops or sandals that are not meant for rough outdoor use.
- Please bring water in a reusable water bottle (no plastic water bottles!) and wear reef-safe sunscreen. We will have water refills available.
- Download the Ocean Conservancy’s CleanSwell app to participate in the Citizen Science activity to log, tally and measure the impact of your cleanup.
- Minors aged 9-17 are welcome as long as they are comfortable and can be safe in the water, and are accompanied by a parent or guardian. We can provide Community Service Hours for students upon request.
Two waivers are required to participate:
- A paper waiver for Miami-Dade County will be provided on the day of the event.
- All participants must also fill out the waiver form that they receive by email (filling out the waiver does not register you for the event)
- IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD AND PARTICIPATING WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, your parent/guardian MUST fill out the online waiver in advance.
Questions? Please contact Rumya at 305-361-2770 or rumya@keybiscaynefoundation.org. If you are interested in joining and ticket sales are closed, please email Rumya ASAP to find out if there are any cancelations or extra space.
What Should Volunteers Bring?
What Will Be Provided?
Parking Information
Parking is available in the grassy area near the PADL station on the east side of Virginia Key Beach Park, near Lamar Lake.
Meeting Spot Details
We will meet by the PADL station near Lamar Lake within Virginia Key Beach Park.
Organizer Information
Rumya Sundaram
Our mission is to have citizen and professional scientists monitor and protect resources and to share information on the most critical natural resources of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key. Established by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, the Citizen Scientist Project seeks to have Key residents work with professional scientists to achieve four goals: 1) Learn about the natural resources of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key; 2) Experience the natural resources of the Key through participation in field trips; 3) Participate in citizen scientist projects, which are directed at protecting the natural resources of the Island; and 4) Suggest projects for the Citizen Scientist Project.