Marine debris on a sea whip near Miami. Photo / Christopher Boykin

The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Each year, the worldwide event collects at more than 6,000 sites and includes half a million volunteers. During the 2009 cleanup, 498,818 volunteers picked up 7.4 million pounds of marine debris in 108 countries 45 U.S. states.

Information and logistics for sites can be found in the flyers below.

Miami-Dade County ICC Flyer

Broward County ICC Flyer

Palm Beach County ICC Flyer

Martin County ICC Flyer

Sierra Club members at Titanic Brewery.

Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places and the planet itself. It is the oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. And its Miami Club members enjoy a good beer or two.

Join club members and visitors on the third Thursday of each month at Titanic Brewery in Coral Gables, which serves award-winning micro-brews. According to the chapter’s newsletter, “Come to Sierra & Beer, and get a free beer.” Attendees must be at least 21 years old.

The Sierra Club has general meetings on the second Monday of each month at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and meetings at Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood.

Visit these sites for info on a club near your home:

Florida.SierraClub.org/miami/

Florida.SierraClub.org/broward/

Florida.SierraClub.org/loxahatchee/

The club will also host Outing Leader Training 101 and 201 and First Aid on Oct. 16 and 17 at a to-be-determined location in Broward County.

The cost is expected to be $50 or less for both days. The limit is 30 people so sign up quickly. Contact Jim Gross at 305-665-2401 or JMGross3013@aol.com to make a reservation and for more information.

Kayaker bags garbage during 2009's cleanup. Photo / MIASF

The Marine Industries Association of South Florida announced its partnership with the Florida Inland Navigation District for the 33rd Annual Waterway Cleanup off Broward County’s coastline.

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at 26 designated cleanup sites across the county. Its tagline “Where Green Meets Blue” reflects the local marine industry’s ideals for environmental responsibility.

MIASF encourages volunteers to pre-register through WaterwayCleanup.org. Not only is this newly implemented process going to streamline check-in at each site, it is also going to guarantee that every volunteer who pre-registers online and checks in at their site before 10 a.m. gets a commemorative T-shirt.

The Annual Waterway Cleanup is Broward County’s largest environmental public awareness campaign and community effort to keep waterways clean. Each year this event attracts more than 2,000 volunteers. People of all ages come out in their boats and along the shores to clean debris from the waterways.

In addition to the presenting sponsor Florida Inland Navigation District, sponsors include Broward County Environmental Protection Department, Publix Supermarkets, Coral Springs Improvement District, Keep Broward Beautiful, National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation, J.M. Family Enterprises, Myers Myers and Adams Advertising, Florida Marlins Community Foundation, Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative and others.

For more information about the cleanup contact Melanie Daily at 954-524-2733 / melanie@miasf.org or visit WaterwayCleanup.org.

Volunteers planted trees during an Eco-Action day at Fern Forest.

Volunteers are needed to clean up trash and non-native vegetation and to plant native species as part of an eco-action day at Hollywood’s Anne Kolb Nature Center and Deerfield Island Park. From 9 a.m. until noon on Feb. 20 students 13 and older can earn community service hours for graduation and other people can simply feel good about improving the environment.

Volunteers should dress with long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes that can get dirty. They should bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and drinking water. Extra tools such as shovels, rakes and hand pruners are welcome.

A form must be filled out ahead of time. For more information, visit Broward.org/parks/wlp.

Other eco-action days are planned at Broward parks. Visit Broward.org/parks to learn more.

Sierra Club attendees at Titanic Brewery in Coral Gables.

Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places and the planet itself. It is the oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. And its Miami Club members enjoy a good beer or two.

Join them on the third Thursday of each month at Titanic Brewery in Coral Gables, which serves award-winning micro-brews. According to the chapter’s newsletter, “Come to Sierra & Beer, and get a free beer.” Attendees must be at least 21 years old.

The Sierra Club has general meetings on the second Monday of each month at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and meetings at Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood.

Visit these sites for info on a club near your home:

Florida.SierraClub.org/miami/

Florida.SierraClub.org/broward/

Florida.SierraClub.org/loxahatchee/

Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach is hosting a children’s exploration on Nov. 30. Kids from 5 to 12 years old, accompanied by an adult, can participate in guided hands-on hiking and activities in the natural world. The event lasts from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and costs $3. Preregistration is required by Nov. 25.

For further information call the nature center at 954-791-1030 or visit its website.

Runners in an earlier Fantasy of Lights 5K Run.

The 14th annual Fantasy of Lights 5K Run and 2.5-Mile Fitness Walk will take place on Nov. 21 at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek.

Michael Mills of Broward Parks and Recreation Division describes it this way: “A unique evening race set on a USA Track and Field-certified course illuminated with millions of lights and larger-than-life animated displays, the 5K course is flat, fast and ideal for setting a personal record.”

The 5K run begins at 6 p.m. and the 2.5-mile walk starts at 7 p.m.; a free Kids’ Fun Run starts at 6:50 p.m. No pets, skateboards, in-line skates, or bicycles are allowed, although strollers will be permitted.

Registration is only at Active.com. No paper registration is offered. The fees are $20 per person for the 5K run and $17 per person for the walk. Registration is limited.

Participants receive a long-sleeved T-shirt. After the race there will be a deejay, costumed characters, a bounce house for kids and a variety of foods and beverages. Massages will be provided by the Florida College of Natural Health.

Race results will be posted at SplitSecondTiming.com but the walk will not be timed or scored.

For more information, visit HolidayLightsDriveThru.com or e-mail fantasyoflights5krun@gmail.com.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate should contact the county’s Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least 10 business days in advance.

Sierra Club attendees at Titanic Brewery in Coral Gables.

Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places and the planet itself. It is the oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.

And its Miami Club members enjoy a good beer or two. Join them on the third Thursday of each month at Titanic Brewery in Coral Gables, which serves award-winning micro-brews. According to the chapter’s newsletter, “Come to Sierra & Beer, and get a free beer.”

Attendees must be at least 21 years old.

The Sierra Club has general meetings on the second Monday of each month at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and meetings at Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood.

Visit these sites for info on a club near your home:

Florida.SierraClub.org/miami/

Florida.SierraClub.org/broward/

Florida.SierraClub.org/loxahatchee/

Learn with one of the best and friendliest(!) instructors in South Florida! Now based in Broward, I’ve been a scuba instructor for more than 20 years and previously worked as a commercial diver in Miami Beach. I’m also South Florida Adventures magazine’s diving columnist.

Call or e-mail any time.

Lance Bark

954-895-7733

lancetbark@hotmail.com

Haven’t you always dreamed of scuba diving? Seeing amazing scenery, like shipwrecks, strange animals and colorful coral reefs while gliding effortlessly?

Learn with one of the best and friendliest(!) instructors in South Florida! Now based in Broward, I’ve been a scuba instructor for more than 20 years and previously worked as a commercial diver in Miami Beach. I’m also South Florida Adventures magazine’s diving columnist.

Call or e-mail any time.

Lance Bark

954-895-7733

lancetbark@hotmail.com