Miami-Dade Unites to Protect Its Coast
More than 70 cleanup events will bring volunteers together at beaches, parks, marinas and natural areas during the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup.
Miami-Dade’s shoreline will become a gathering place for hundreds of volunteers committed to protecting one of South Florida’s most
valuable natural resources. On Saturday, Sept. 19, the community will participate in the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup, a worldwide effort to remove trash and debris threatening beaches, oceans and marine ecosystems.
Led globally by Ocean Conservancy, the initiative is coordinated locally by VolunteerCleanup.org.
More than 70 shoreline cleanup events are planned throughout Miami-Dade County, including activities at parks, beaches, marinas, historical and cultural destinations, and natural preserves.The event provides residents, families, students, community organizations and businesses with an opportunity to turn a few hours of volunteer service into meaningful environmental action.
Miami-Dade Parks will play an important role in the effort. Volunteers in Parks, known as VIPs, are essential to cleanup activities that remove marine debris and litter from public spaces. Their work not only improves these popular destinations but also contributes to protecting wildlife and sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Participating locations include Amelia Earhart Park, Black Point Marina, Chapman Field Park, Crandon Park Oceanside, Deering Estate, Deering Estate People’s Dock, Deering Point, East Greynolds Park, Haulover Beach Jetty, Haulover Park Bayside, Hobie Island, Homestead Bayfront Park, Matheson Hammock Park, Pelican Harbor Marina, Venetian Causeway and Virginia Key Dog Beach Park. Crandon Park Marina will also host a special paddle cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 12, one week before the main event.
Coastal litter is more than something visitors see along the sand. Plastic containers, fishing lines and other discarded materials can eventually reach Biscayne Bay and the ocean, where they may pose risks to fish, birds, sea turtles and other wildlife.
For that reason, International Coastal Cleanup Day is also about education.
The initiative encourages participants to consider how everyday choices can reduce waste and prevent debris from reaching waterways in the first place.
Residents interested in participating can register in advance by selecting one of Miami-Dade Parks’ participating locations.
On Sept. 19, the message is simple: a few hours can make a difference. Every bottle, plastic bag or piece of debris removed from the shoreline represents one less threat to South Florida’s environment.
When hundreds of individual efforts come together, a community cleanup can become something much larger — a commitment to protecting Miami-Dade’s coast for generations to come.
