Hurricane Clean Up Efforts

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October 27, 2024 — In the wake of recent hurricanes impacting Florida’s Gulf Coast, Water Warrior Alliance (WWA), led by founder Jenna Byrne, coordinated a large-scale cleanup with 221 volunteers across Pasco and Pinellas counties. With essential support from community partners, these volunteers removed 5,729.56 pounds of debris from beaches, intercoastal waterways, streets, parks, and urban lakes.

 

Madeira Beach Vessel Cleanup Launches the Efforts

 

Starting the weekend’s initiative, a Friday morning vessel cleanup on Madeira Beach saw collaboration with Old Salts, Bay Pines Marina, Madeira Beach Marina, and Custom Building Solution, which provided a dumpster for debris collection. Jenna and a small team of four dedicated volunteers successfully removed 2,184.32 pounds of debris from the intercoastal waterways, significantly improving marine health and shoreline cleanliness.

 

Watergoat Cleanups in Pasco County

 

In Pasco County, WWA worked with UF/IFAS’s Operation Trap to conduct Watergoat cleanups focused on hurricane debris removal. This initiative engaged six volunteers, collecting an additional 101.54 pounds of debris, furthering WWA’s impact through its Adopt a Watergoat program.

 

Friday Evening Madeira Beach Community Cleanup with Expanded Partner Support

 

Later Friday evening, 64 community members gathered for a community-wide cleanup on Madeira Beach, joining forces with Old Salts, Saltwater Hippie, Coastal Crusaders, Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe, and Tito’s. Together, they collected 1,267.14 pounds of debris, restoring the beach for residents and wildlife.

 

Saturday Cleanups with Strong Community Partnerships

 

On Saturday, more than 100 volunteers collaborated with St. Pete Downtown Partnership, Soul: Stewards of Our Urban Lakes, Car Free St. Pete, the City of St. Pete, and Keep Pinellas Beautiful. Collecting 1,906.54 pounds of trash from streets, urban lakes, and parks, this effort underscored WWA’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

 

Sunday Cleanups with Local Organizations

 

Sunday’s cleanup efforts continued with support from Suncoast Classics, Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe, and Redington Shores, where volunteers collected an additional 270.02 pounds of debris, ensuring a cleaner environment for the community.

 

Community Impact and Environmental Commitment

 

“These cleanups highlight the dedication of our volunteers and partners to safeguarding Florida’s natural spaces,” said Jenna Byrne, WWA’s founder. The events were generously supported by the Surfing Evolution and Preservation Foundation and Ocean Conservancy.

 

About Water Warrior Alliance

 

Water Warrior Alliance (WWA) is a nonprofit organization founded by Jenna Byrne, dedicated to the removal of marine debris and the promotion of environmental stewardship across Florida’s waterways. Through volunteer-led cleanups, educational programs, and initiatives like the ‘Camp Coral’ scuba camp, WWA fosters responsibility and awareness about protecting our natural resources.

 

By partnering with local organizations and community members, WWA strives to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment for all.

 

For more information about our mission, upcoming events, or to get involved, visit www.waterwarrioralliance.org, www.adoptawatergoat.org, and www.campcoralscubacamp.com.