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World Wetlands Day has long been an annual event at Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary School in Cutler Bay, but in 2021 COVID-19 prompted some changes. Still, it was both a real and a virtual success.
Adrian Delesdernier, a fouth grade Education Specialist who organizes the event, decided to continue it in spite of the challenges.
“I was determined to not let the pandemic stop us from having it this year,” Delesdernier said. “The cleanup allows for us to give back to the community while our students learn about pressing environmental issues.”
The 10th annual World Wetlands Day Clean Up was conducted virtually because of the pandemic. More than 40 participants collected nearly 200 pounds of trash, with students in grades kindergarten through fifth, as well as families, teachers and staff taking part.
“Our 10-year total is over 5,300 pounds,” Delesdernier said. “Trash included glass and plastic bottles, plastic bags, shoes and monofilament fishing line.”
This year, the event began on Friday, Feb. 5 and ran through Sunday, Feb. 7. Students and families were free to choose their own time and location at a community park, public space or marina. Students reported in via email and by sending pictures of the trash they collected. Students picked up trash at a number of places including Cutler Bay parks and Black Point Marina. There was even a report of a trash collection in the Keys.
“Before the pandemic we were seeing a real awareness of environmental issues,” Delesdernier said. “People were really concerned about trash winding up in our oceans and natural areas. We wanted to continue the event to remind people that we still need to protect our environment.”
World Wetlands Day occurs each year on Feb. 2, marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on Feb. 2, 1971, when a small group of environmentalists signed an international agreement at the Ramsar Convention in Iran.
Briana Orozco, a third grader, believed in the importance of the project.
“We need to understand,” she said. “Animals can die when they eat something in the water. This [plastic] is super bad for the birds. I don’t know how someone can throw that here.”
Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary is recognized by Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a Gold Designated STEAM School. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
