Events

 🌎🌿 Join Us for the 3rd Annual Upper Keys Earth Day Festival! 🌿🌎

Celebrate Earth Day with your community at a fun, family-friendly outdoor festival in the Upper Keys!

📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026
⏰ Noon – 4 PM
📍 Coral Isles Church (MM 90)

✨ What to expect:
• Environmental organization displays
• Plant sale 🌱
• Silent auction
• Local vendors + food
• FREE bounce house & kids activities 🎉

🚗 Free entry & free parking! (Park at the High School)

💚 Come learn, explore, and support efforts to protect our environment while enjoying a great afternoon with family and friends.

🌊 Florida Bay Forever will be there—stop by our table to say hi, learn about our programs, and get involved in protecting Florida Bay!

🌎 Earth Day Community Cleanup – Tavernier Key 🌿

Join us for a special Earth Day Paddle & Shoreline Cleanup in honor of Pascal’s Way—an initiative inspired by the life of Pascal Weisenberger and dedicated to spreading kindness, service, and compassion through community action and environmental awareness.

This is a chance to come together as a community, give back to the place we love, and make a real, visible impact on our local environment.

📍 Cleanup Options:
• Shore Cleanup – Old Settlers Park, Tavernier
• Paddle Cleanup – Tavernier Creek Mangrove Shoreline (launch from Florida Keys Outfitters)

🗓 Date: Saturday, April 25
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🎒 What to Bring:
Gloves, a reusable water bottle, hat, sunscreen—and your best Earth Day energy 🌊

🚣 Kayaks:
A limited number of free kayaks will be available, but please bring your own if you can.

🤝 Community Collaboration:
This event is made possible by incredible partnerships with Pascal’s Way, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and our local Parks & Beaches team.

✨ Everyone is welcome—bring a friend, bring your family, and be part of something meaningful.

Let’s celebrate Earth Day the best way we know how—by taking care of it. 💚

🌳 Guided Hike at Green Turtle Hammock

Saturday May TBD • 8:30 AM and 10:00 am

📍 Meet at 81224 Oversea Hwy Islamorada 

Join us for a guided hike through one of Islamorada’s hidden treasures! Discover the beauty and history of the hardwood hammock as we explore native trees, cultural connections, and traditional plant uses. 🌴✨

Led by Jodie from Florida Bay Forever, this walk blends nature, science, and storytelling — offering a deeper look at the plants that shape our coastal ecosystems.

👀 Bring:
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Water
• Your excitement + curiosity!

👣 All ages welcome — great for families, locals, and visitors alike.
💚 Discover, explore, and protect Florida Bay — one hike at a time!!

🦜 BIRD WALK 🦜

Friday May TBD • 8:30 AM

🌿 Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve

Join us for a guided bird walk led by the amazing Sarah from the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center!
Sarah is knowledgeable, kind, and an incredible educator who brings the wonder of our local birdlife to life.

👀 Bring:
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Water
• Your excitement + curiosity!

🦩 All ages welcome — families, locals, and visitors alike.

📍 Meet at: 81224 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada
💚 Discover, explore & help protect Florida Bay — one bird at a time. 🌅🕊️

REEF Fish & Friends Seminar

Check out the recording of the presentation! 🎥
I think you’ll really enjoy it!

https://www.youtube.com/live/5gqZkZlbyac

Featuring Jodie Cerra – Executive Director, Florida Bay Forever

Join us for an evening of ocean learning and community connection at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo!

REEF Fish & Friends is a free seminar series featuring engaging ocean-themed presentations from guest speakers. Snorkelers, divers, anglers, and marine life enthusiasts are all welcome.

This month’s speaker, Jodie Cerra, Executive Director of Florida Bay Forever, will share insights about Florida Bay, local ecosystems, and how our community can help protect these unique waters.

This program is made possible through the generous support of REEF members.

For more information or to get involved: mead@REEF.org

Everyday!!

🌿 Come Explore with Florida Bay Forever! 🌿 Discover Green Turtle Hammock

Step into the magic of a Hardwood Hammock Nature Preserve and hike through this rare and beautiful unique habitat

🧭 Explore Our Programs & Activities

We offer a variety of free, hands-on programs designed for students, teachers, families, locals, and visitors alike. Whether you’re planning a school field trip, a community group outing, or you’re a visitor looking to explore the real Florida Keys, we’ve got an adventure for you!

🌱 Environmental Education Highlights

• 🌿 Mangrove Restoration – Help plant and care for mangroves on-site or at your school garden.

• 🌳 Guided Hikes – Learn native tree ID, cultural history, and traditional uses.

• 🦉 Bird walks with our friends from the Wild Bird Center

• 💦 Solution Hole & Erosion Experiment – A fun, hands-on look at how Florida’s limestone landscape forms.

• 🧭 Map-Reading Adventure – Practice navigation and compass skills right on the trail.

• 🌊 Water Quality Testing – Discover how clean water connects the Everglades to Florida Bay.

🌎 Site Features

🪵 Nature trails through diverse habitats
🛶 Kayak launch and bayside access
🏖️ Picnic and gathering areas
🏡 Pavilion (open!!!!)
⏱️ Flexible programs: 1-hour or full-day options

👩‍🏫 For Teachers, Students & Volunteers

We’re proud to support environmental education and community engagement across the Keys!

🍎 Teachers can earn service hours for certification or recertification.
🎓 Learn about becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) or about our Tutoring Services!!
🌿 Students can volunteer or earn community service hours while protecting Florida Bay.

📞 Let’s Plan Your Field Trip or Group Visit!
Contact: Jodie Cerra, Executive Director
📧 jodie@floridabayforever.org
📱 561-818-5341

🌟 Join the Adventure!

Whether you live here in the Keys or you’re visiting from afar, you’re invited to explore, learn, and fall in love with this special place.

💚 Together, we’re building something special in the heart of the Keys—join us and help protect Florida Bay for future generations.

Florida Bay Forever is a grassroots registered nonprofit 501c3 organization.
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Unifying the Voices of Monroe County
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Photography used in this site provided by Captain Troy Wheatley and Anthony Sleiman.