Protect the
Water You Love.
Science-backed action to defend South
Florida’s waters — today and for generations
to come.
Stop the Dredge, Save the Reef
The proposed Port Everglades expansion threatens to repeat a costly dredging disaster that killed more than a million corals at PortMiami a decade ago. Take action now to protect our reef.
Our mission
We protect South Florida’s waters by advocating for resilient solutions grounded in science, rooted in nature, and driven by community.
LEARN MOREOUR WORK
Everything we do flows through our theory of change, which includes three disciplines. Together, they form a complete cycle: we understand the problem, we fight to solve it, and we bring people along.
Science & Research
We monitor water quality and collect data to identify pollution sources, track environmental trends, and inform local solutions that protect South Florida’s waterways and guide climate resilience efforts.
PROGRAMS
Weekly sampling across South Florida, filling gaps in the Florida Healthy Beaches program and keeping public data current.
Filling critical knowledge gaps with science that informs policy and protects South Florida’s waterways and communities.
Policy & Advocacy
We advocate for stronger environmental protections, influence decision-makers, and hold polluters accountable to ensure policies safeguard waterways, habitats, and communities.
PROGRAMS
Mobilizing communities and decision-makers to champion clean water and ensure local voices shape environmental policy.
Working with local, state, and federal officials to strengthen laws protecting South Florida’s water and communities.
Holding polluters accountable through legal action when waterways are threatened and environmental laws need enforcement.
Education & Outreach
We engage residents, schools, and community groups to raise awareness and inspire action—empowering people to protect South Florida’s water, ecosystems, and coastal communities for the future.
Hands-on action with neighbors to protect and restore South Florida’s waterways.
Empowering high school students to lead local efforts for clean water through advocacy training, service, and community education.
Training adults to become local environmental leaders through service and community action.
Community-powered program training residents to identify, document, and report pollution in real time, helping us respond faster and hold polluters accountable.
While our programs describe how we work, our priorities and campaigns are how we fight for clean water.
Our Priorities
From the Everglades to the reef, we protect Biscayne Bay and South Florida’s water, ecosystems, and communities to ensure a healthy, resilient future for all.
(01)
Clean Water
We monitor pollution, take action, and advocate for stronger protections to ensure healthy waterways across South Florida.
See Our Clean Water Campaigns(02)
Ecosystem Protection
We protect South Florida’s coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and the wildlife that depends on these vital ecosystems.
See Our Ecosystem Protection Campaigns(03)
Sea Level Rise Resilience
We study risks, advance smarter policies, and support community planning to reduce flooding and protect neighborhoods, beaches, and coastal ecosystems.
See Our Sea Level Rise Resilience CampaignsCampaigns
Turning science into action to protect the water you love.
Turkey Point
Sea Level Rise
Clean Water
Monitoring and advocating around Turkey Point nuclear plant operations to protect Biscayne Bay and surrounding communities.
Read moreCoral Reefs
Ecosystem Protection
Sea Level Rise
Protecting Florida’s coral reef from pollution, climate change, and dredging to preserve biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal resilience.
Read moreSeptic Tanks
Sea Level Rise
Clean Water
Advocating for sewer connections and stronger septic regulations to prevent pollution from entering canals and Biscayne Bay.
Read more
GET INVOLVED
Your support fuels science, legal action, and community
solutions for clean water.
Give
Power Clean Water Solutions
Your support fuels science-backed water testing, legal action against polluters, and nature-based solutions that protect Biscayne Bay and South Florida’s communities.
Donate NowJOIN
Be Part of the Solution
Join a community of volunteers, advocates, and citizen scientists working alongside our team to monitor water quality, restore habitats, and protect the places we love.
VolunteerACT
Take Action for Clean Water
Clean water needs strong voices. Take action on urgent water issues, report pollution, and help push for policies that protect public health and our environment.
Take ActionReport Pollution to
Miami Waterkeeper
Report pollution or wildlife incidents in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Please do not touch pollution or wildlife.
REPORT POLLUTIONWater Quality
Miami Waterkeeper monitors bacteria levels at sites across Biscayne Bay weekly, giving our community with timely data to make informed decisions about recreational water use.
Check Water QualityImpact
Your support drives measurable change for Biscayne Bay—advancing water policy, restoring habitats, and empowering leaders. Together, we protect South Florida’s waters with transparency and impact.
1,000
+
pollution reports received and responded to
10
peer-reviewed scientific papers published
1.0
m+
public views of our water quality reports
10,100
+
water samples taken since 2020
90
+
U.S. nuclear reactors subject to more stringent regulation
80
%
of county canals stopped chemical spraying.
1920.73
sq. miles of Nassau Grouper critical habitat designated.
5
-year
legal battle successfully waged to protect wetlands
32,000
+
lbs of marine debris removed
37,000
+
community members engaged at events
246
Junior Ambassador youth leaders graduated
2,600
+
Community members trained in 1,000 Eyes
Programs
You don’t have to be a scientist to protect the water you love.
We’ll show you how.
Trusted Voices
Why community leaders, scientists, and residents trust Miami Waterkeeper.
“Being a Junior Ambassador has been one of the most meaningful parts of my high school journey.”
Alessandro Vidal
Junior Ambassador
“As an intern, I combined my passion for the natural world with hands-on education, organizing beach cleanups and bringing classrooms directly to Biscayne Bay. I’m grateful to Miami Waterkeeper for the opportunity to work in the waters I love while fostering environmental stewardship in our community.”
Katy McRae
Intern
“Living in South Florida, the ocean has always been part of my life. I grew up fishing, swimming, and spending time on the water, but I also saw how pollution and careless development threaten the ecosystems I love. That connection between people and the environment is what made me realize that protecting nature is my responsibility. As a Junior Ambassador for Miami Waterkeeper, I’ve learned how to communicate with people from different backgrounds and bring attention to issues that are often ignored. These experiences taught me advocacy: how to turn concern into action. I’ve written letters to local and state officials, including my County Mayor, about the dangers of septic tanks leaking into waterways and other issues. Now, I continue this work as the head of my school’s Environmental Club and as a beekeeper, and I plan to study environmental science and sustainable real estate development in college so I can turn this passion into my career.”
John Allen
Junior Ambassador
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Women Who Make A Difference
Junior League of Miami
The Elevate Prize
Mayor’s Pioneer Award
Parks Foundation
Water Conservationist of the Year
Florida Wildlife Federation
Miami Herald Visionary Award
Reitmeister-Abess Center Environmental Stewardship Award,
University of Miami
Diatom Award for Environmental and Civic Activism
City of Miami Beach
Volunteer with Miami Waterkeeper
Volunteer, learn, and take action at upcoming cleanups and workshops.
Microplastic Clean-Up
Closed2400 S Bayshore Dr, Miami
Join Miami Waterkeeper for a hands-on cleanup at David T. Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove and help protect our local waterways! Microplastics—plastic fragmen…
Microplastic Clean-Up 2026 May
Closed2400 S Bayshore Dr, Miami
Join Miami Waterkeeper for a hands-on cleanup at David T. Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove and help protect our local waterways! Microplastics—plastic fragmen…
Kayak Clean Up
Closed2400 S Bayshore Dr, Miami
Miami Waterkeeper is proud to continue our partnership with Miami EcoAdventures to offer public volunteer kayak clean-up events! Volunteers will hit the wate…
Habitat Restoration
2400 S Bayshore Dr, Miami
Miami Waterkeeper is proud to partner with the City of Miami Parks and Recreation to offer these public habitat restoration events. We are excited you want t…
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