In 1955, Miami Seaquarium opened its doors for the first time to become the world’s largest marine attraction. Through its commitment to conservation, education and entertainment over the past 62 years, the park has become the most popular tourist attraction in South Florida.
To commemorate its 62nd anniversary, the park is calling on volunteers to be “Reef Rangers’ for a day and join in a beach cleanup on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
Reef Ranger volunteers will spend the morning collecting litter and debris, which contaminates beaches and injures wildlife on Historic Virginia Key Beach. Then, as a special thank you, beach cleanup participants will receive free admission to Miami Seaquarium for the day. Reef Ranger volunteers participating in the beach cleanup also will receive free admission to Historic Virginia Key Beach until 9 a.m. Check-in time is 7:30-8 a.m.
Join Miami Seaquarium staff at the Chikee Village area to pick up your trash bucket, enter the recycling raffle, participate in educational games, and visit participating organizations’ educational booths.
The first 50 participants who arrive will receive a free Miami Seaquarium reusable water bottle. Reef Ranger volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes, gloves and bring your own reusable water bottle. Registration is not required, however volunteers are encouraged to RSVP via the park’s Facebook event page.
For additional beach cleanup information visit the park’s event page at www.facebook.com/events/117502488897757/.
“Our commitment to wildlife conservation begins with education and community involvement. By organizing this beach cleanup on our anniversary, we look forward to the future and our continued goal to entertain, educate, conserve and rehabilitate,” said Andrew Hertz, general manager at Miami Seaquarium.
After a hard day’s work, volunteers will receive an official Reef Ranger pin and a special invitation to spend the day at Miami Seaquarium for free. Volunteers will have the opportunity to visit the Conservation Outpost area and learn, through exhibits and shows, more about the wildlife they are protecting, including rescued manatees and sea turtles who now call Miami Seaquarium home. Over the years, Miami Seaquarium has rescued dozens of sea turtles and manatees that became entangled in fishing lines or ingested litter and other man-made waste that has been tossed into the sea.
Many local organizations will be participating in the beach cleanup to help education volunteers on ocean conservation and providing interactive activities.
Miami Seaquarium, South Florida’s most popular tourist attraction, is a family-oriented marine-life park open to the public 365 days a year. The park provides visitors with a greater understanding and appreciation for marine life through shows, presentations and marine-life exhibits. Visit www.miamiseaquarium.com.
