About | Advocates for Clean & Clear Waterways

who

We Are

We work by mobilizing staff members and volunteers to beautify, clean, and protect our inner and coastal waterways, parks, beaches, neighborhoods, public lands, and other natural areas. While our primary response is by our team, we also host numerous volunteer clean-ups. We place an emphasis on the small pieces of garbage that typically go unaddressed, such as microbeads and microplastics, as well as hard-to-access areas.

In addition to our immediate radius of response, we accept litter and pollution reports nationwide. When incidents are within Central and South Florida, we respond and take the necessary steps to achieve a prompt resolution. With reports that originate outside of these areas, we assist the community in escalating the incidents to local agencies and organizations for a resolution.

Advocates for Clean & Clear Waterways is a

501(c)(3) organization based in Broward County, serving the communities of Central and South Florida. Founded in April of 2020, our organization is staffed by dedicated advocates

serving our community. We focus on staff and volunteer litter clean-ups, water quality issues and testing, environmental education, pollution response, and other environmental concerns affecting low-income communities.

Our

Programs

Every day approximately 8,000,000 pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans. We work by mobilizing staff members and volunteers to beautify, clean, and protect our waterways, parks, beaches, neighborhoods, public lands, and other natural areas within the community.

Clean-Ups

Education

We strive to provide resources for the community to quickly determine when environmental incidents are in progress and report these incidents through the proper procedures. We also work tirelessly to educate on stormwater systems and their role in transporting pollutants and runoff into our waters.

Escalations

Our organization accepts reports relating to environmental concerns from individuals and other organizations nationwide. When incidents are within Central and South Florida, we respond and take the necessary steps to achieve a resolution. Reports originating outside of these areas are promptly escalated to the appropriate parties to address.

Water Quality

We investigate and respond to reports of pollution incidents to provide prompt resolutions to protect our waterways and wildlife. We monitor runoff, discharge events, and conditions that are unsafe for recreational activities.

Our

Team

Caleb Merendino

Executive Director

caleb@waterwayadvocates.org

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 wildlife, 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, hiking, and losing at game night.

Benjamin Swanson

Associate Director

Ben@waterwayadvocates.org

Ben has always been passionate about the environment and helping his community. In addition to serving as Associate Director for Advocates for Clean & Clear Waterways, 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.