about us
Waterway Advocates is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving the communities of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. Our team develops and hosts meaningful community service and learning opportunities that empower individuals from all backgrounds to embrace their role in the conservation of the environment.
We see a world in which everyone IS an advocate and everyone HAS an advocate.
It's our goal to make this vision a reality. No matter who you are, where you are from, who you love, or how you identify, you are part of the team that is achieving positive and meaningful environmental change.
nature hubs
& pollination stations!
wildflower fields
wildlife corridors
community gardens
walking trails
clean-up kit distribution
field trip destination
native plant sanctuaries
community green spaces
communities
in action
beautification projects
community gardens
volunteer & staff litter clean-ups
incident reports & response
specialty recycling partnerships
corporate service days
public & private memorial clean-ups
community assistance program
home beautification & clean-up kits
organization sign-on letters
lifelong
learning
educational video series
10-second shorts
educational events
free learning resources
school and community partnerships
hello from our team!
caleb
merendino
co-executive director
Caleb has dedicated his time to environmental advocacy and policy, volunteerism, public safety, and animal welfare. As a fierce advocate, he has fought for marine life, clean waterways, and healthy communities. He has shown strong leadership through organizing volunteer clean-ups and working closely with large companies and officials on environmental initiatives. When off the clock (which is rare these days), Caleb can be found exploring the outdoors, kayaking, at the beach, camping, and losing at game night.
ben
swanson
co-executive director
Ben has always been passionate about the environment and helping his community. In addition to serving as Executive Director for Waterway Advocates, he is an accomplished musician and educator and holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University. Ben is a persistent advocate for safe and inclusive environments for all, humans and wildlife alike. Outside of work, Ben enjoys adventuring outdoors, playing piano, and winning at game night.
nancy
barrett
outreach coordinator
Nancy is currently majoring in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Maryland. In her professional life, she hopes to focus on the connection between community activism and the environment. Nancy is very passionate about the complex dynamics that exist within ecosystems, and loves to study and observe living things. In her free time, she enjoys buying too many vegetables at the farmer’s market, spending time in the sun, reading, doing yoga and volunteering with her community.
shep
field ops supervisor
Shep is our Field Operations Supervisor. He enjoys sniffing flowers and working in the garden. When he's not supervising environmental response, he enjoys partaking in long naps to prep him for tomorrow.
on Twitter!