For Earth Day 2017, the Miami Seaquarium has organized four days of ocean and environmental awareness. Each event will focus on different issues that impact our local ecosystems, presented in an entertaining and engaging program with hand-on activities. There is something for everyone with most of the events being family friendly and free!
April 20, 6:00pm – 9:00pm: Biology by the Bay
This one is for the grown-ups only.
Fun ocean-loving people all coming together for happy hour to listen to and discuss the work of another ocean-loving researcher – Sounds like a great Thursday night and way to celebrate the earth we all know and love! Did I mention snacks will be provided… EVEN BETTER! Join us in the event field at Miami Seaquarium which overlooks Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline for this awesome Earth day event! Guest speaker: Wildlife Biologist, Joe Wasilewski.
Ticket options – The event is free but if you would like a drink:$5.00 donation – Drink ticket for one beer/wine (Cash only)
$10.00 donation – Drink ticket for one beer/wine and a reusable cup (Cash only). Proceeds will benefit the organization of guest speaker’s choice. This event is BYOC (Bring your own cup) or purchase one of ours. Additional drink tickets can be purchased with cash at event.
April 21, 7:30pm – 9:30pm: 4earth Mini Film Festival
Join the Miami Seaquarium’s 4earth in celebrating Earth Day with a family-friendly mini film festival!
We will set up our 14 ft tall screen on our field that overlooks Biscayne Bay to showcase four to five “Beneath the Waves” short films (20 mins each). These films will have a strong focus on marine science and the issues surrounding our environment today. The movie event is free of charge! Guests can bring their own lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic dinner and spread out in the event field to watch the films. We can offer popcorn and snacks throughout the event. Beneath the Waves is a global platform for ocean conservation, education, and discovery. Their mission is to raise awareness regarding critical marine issues, foster the advancement of science, and promote the protection of our oceans.
April 22nd, 2:00pm – 6:00pm: Lionfish Derby & Community Picnic
Lionfish are invading all over the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean, destroying local reefs and native creatures. One way to raise awareness about this issue and possible solutions is through a Lionfish Derby. Through REEF, we will host a daylong event in which fishermen volunteer to catch lionfish and bring them back to Miami Seaquairum for scoring, data collection, and a community picnic.
REEF sanctioned lionfish derbies are a great way to cull the local population of lionfish in South Florida. These fish are native to the South Pacific and Indian oceans. They have no natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or the Gulf of Mexico, so they are thriving in these areas. Lionfish are able to eat almost anything, which is really taking a toll on our South Florida marine ecosystems, causing native species to lose their food and resources.
Not only is this event for fishermen to take part in, but a day for the whole family to enjoy! Get a taste of lionfish by sampling them cooked in a number of ways, get creative by participating in lionfish jewelry workshops and learn more about what you can do at the local level to fight the lion fish invasion by visiting with our participating organizations!
April 23, 8:00am – 10:00am: Scientific Beach Clean-up @ Hobie Beach
Flipper and Friends want to partner with local junior and high schools in the area to give back to our oceans. We will host a day of cleaning up our beaches, where students can attend our beach cleanup, or hold their own. All teachers need to do is contact Miami Seaquarium for our beach debris data sheet to participate and return it with their collected data. The following week, Miami Seaquarium will visit and or virtually interact with the participating schools to discuss type of debris they found why they think it is there, how it affects the marine environment, and what they can do to mitigate these issues.
Enjoy 50% off admission on all 4 days! Online only. Promo Code: earthday www.miamiseaquarium.com/offers
Science Saturday on the Miami Science Barge in Museum Park is not just for Earth Day, but when better to bring the whole family downtown for an eco-adventure? “The Miami Science Barge hosts researchers from NOAA Fisheries in the Marine Mammal Program who will discuss the resident pod of Bottlenose Dolphins that live in Biscayne Bay. Kids will be able to enjoy hands-on dolphin related activities. All ages are welcome, and entry is by donation.”
April 15th is National Citizen Science Day, so the Miami Science Barge has partnered with Chelle King fr. om Frost Science to help citizen scientists of all ages participate in a “BioBlitz” using the iNaturalist app (FREE for Apple or Android devices) to document the biological diversity in Museum Park.
On the event field at Miami Seaquarium which overlooks Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline for an awesome Earth day event! Guest speaker: Wildlife Biologist, Joe Wasilewski.
Do the Shore Thing! Baynanza is celebrating it’s 35th year on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteer registration for the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day is now open.
Join South Beach Dive and Surf Center and Debris Free Oceans this Earth Day for a reef cleanup scuba diving trip in the crystal blue waters of Key Largo! Meet at South Beach Dive Center at 850 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, then stay for the after-party in Key Largo. South Beach Divers provides free transportation to and from Key Largo.
Yes, April also celebrates Arbor Day, and the City of Miami is partnering with Citizens for A Better South Florida to lead volunteers in a day of activities at the Virginia Key Park and Nature Conservancy Restoration project.