FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2014
BISCAYNE BAY AQUATIC PRESERVES TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF PROTECTION
~Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves thrive in one of Florida's most urban areas~
"Seahorse | Seagrass,” original painting donated by Miami
artist Xavier Cortada in honor of Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves 40th
Anniversary.
MIAMI – In October, Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves will celebrate its
40th anniversary, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's
Florida Coastal Office invites you to join in on the festivities.
The first of two main events will be "Soiree by the
Bay" on Oct. 5 at the Deering Estate at Cutler. It will
feature the beauty and history of the aquatic preserves in pictures, art, video
and storytelling. The month-long recognition will conclude on Oct. 25
with "Paddle Out! Biscayne Bay," an island excursion in the northern
part of the aquatic preserves where Miami eco-artist Xavier Cortada will lead a
community art project with the participants. Throughout the month, the
community will be asked to pledge an eco-action—a
personal commitment to help Biscayne Bay not just survive, but thrive, for the
next 40 years.
“I am proud of the work that is
being done across Florida to conserve and restore coastal and aquatic
resources, while also providing additional recreational opportunities to our local
communities and visitors,” said Kevin Claridge, director of the Florida Coastal
Office. “I look forward to celebrating Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves'
anniversary and sharing our success stories in those preserves as well as in the
other 39 aquatic preserves in Florida.”
As the perfect setting for “Soiree by the Bay,” the natural
beauty of the Charles Deering Estate showcases a breathtaking view of the Biscayne
Bay Aquatic Preserves. This “bay chic” event will feature a signature
drink during the cocktail reception, as well as dinner and a silent auction. Noted
speakers and a display of children’s eco-artwork, inspired by their personal
eco-action, will round out the evening.
During the “Paddle Out! Biscayne Bay” adventure paddle, registered
participants will be invited to travel via canoes, kayaks and paddleboards along
a three-mile route in the bay to the destination island. Once at the island, paddlers will display
flags featuring children’s eco-action inspired artwork. The
afternoon will feature food trucks, live music and opportunities to become
part of the Friends of Biscayne Bay.
“Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves were established by
the
state of Florida to protect the abundant resources in this estuary,”
said Pamela Sweeney, manager of Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves. “Our
aquatic preserves serve the most
populous county in the state, and it remains as vital a resource now for
our commercial
and recreational interests as it was when Miami was first settled. We
attract
tourists from around the world to these spectacular waters — right offshore from
one of Florida’s largest cities. We hope
these events celebrating 40 years of protection encourage the community to
become active in the conservation of Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves.”
Florida is home to 41 aquatic preserves, encompassing 2.2
million acres of submerged land. Aquatic preserves protect the living waters of
Florida to ensure they will always be home for bird and fish nurseries,
freshwater springs and salt marshes, seagrass meadows and mangrove
forests.
| 
