31st Annual Waterway Cleanup Results
Sites Report Cleaner Waterways, Less Bulk Trash and Strong Community Support for the Effort

By Melanie Daily
Posted Sunday, March 9, 2008

 
 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page

An Estimated 2,000 Volunteers Turn Out Despite the Weather to Clean

35 Tons/ 235 Cubic Yards of Trash at 31st Annual Waterway Cleanup

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (March 8, 2008) -An estimated 2,000 volunteers came in boats and on by land to participate in the 31st šAnnual Waterway Cleanup and removed 35 tons/235 cubic yards of trash from Broward's waterways, rivers and canals. šOrganizers and sponsors of Broward's largest environmental event, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida say initial estimates indicate that the early morning rains deterred some volunteers and the total trash collected was down from the 2007.

Broward County Mayor Lois Wexler served as spokesperson for the event this year and announced the totals at the Trash Bash Volunteer Appreciation event at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. "The total trash collected this year is 35 tons, which is lower than last year, partly because a few volunteers were deterred by the rain, but it is also because more people are getting the message to be environmentally responsible and our waterways are cleaner," said Mayor Wexler. "Thank you for volunteering and for the community effort," Wexler added, "And next year we'll be even more aggressive to get the Broward County Schools and the kids more involved."

Gordon Connell, MIASF Director of Association Services said, "We had another successful year despite the inclement weather that we started with this morning." He noted, "The day turned our great, our volunteers were enthusiastic and we can all say we made a difference in our community and for the environment."

The MIASF is a not-for-profit trade organization created in 1961 to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in South Florida for the benefit and education of its members, the community and the environment. The Association nearly 850 members in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties and is the owner of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

For more information about the Waterway Cleanup or the MIASF contact Public Relations and Event Coordinator Melanie Daily at (954) 524-2733 or visit www.miasf.org <http://www.waterwaycleanup.org/> .