2024-08-28T12:27:50-04:00 2023-12-31 943458074 GUTIERREZ MADARIAGA CPA PA 2525 PONCE DE LEON BLVD SUITE 300 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 990 2023-01-01 273627697 BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER INC BISC 3059050856 220 MIRACLE MILE STE 229B CORAL GABLES FL 33134 RACHEL SILVERSTEIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 3059050856 2024-07-24 true true JOHN-PAUL MADARIAGA P01396578 3057781899 2024-08-28 X 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z MIAMI WATERKEEPER RACHEL SILVERSTEIN 220 MIRACLE MILE SUITE 229B CORAL GABLES FL 33134 3769732 false X HTTPS://WWW.MIAMIWATERKEEPER.ORG/ X 2010 FL IN 2023, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIEN 11 11 36 1839 0 1254671 3725795 17266 39317 1248 4620 0 1273185 3769732 0 0 932865 1345759 0 422899 527752 1185791 1460617 2531550 -187432 1238182 1328123 2606886 149727 190413 1178396 2416473 X IN 2023, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIEN false false 1709316 IN 2023, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND WHEN NECESSARY, LEGAL ACTION. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE PROTECT A HEALTHY WATERSHED AND A VIBRANT COASTAL CULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. MIAMI WATERKEEPER FOCUSES ON THREE MAIN AREAS: CLEAN WATER, ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION, AND SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCY. FIRST, WE TACKLE ISSUES OF POLLUTION TO ENSURE CLEAN WATER THROUGHOUT THE BISCAYNE BAY WATERSHED, FROM THE EVERGLADES TO OUR CORAL REEFS. SECOND, WE PROTECT THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT DEPEND ON THAT CLEAN WATER, INCLUDING CORALS, SEAGRASSES, AND MANGROVES. FINALLY, WE FOCUS ON SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCY, WHICH IMPACTS ALL AREAS OF OUR WORK. WE EMPLOY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO EACH FOCUS AREA: SCIENCE AND RESEARCH EVERYTHING WE DO STARTS WITH SCIENCE. WE ANALYZE EXISTING RESEARCH AND LEAD LARGE-SCALE NOVEL RESEARCH PROJECTS TO FILL IN KNOWLEDGE GAPS. WE ALSO VISIT OVER 30 LOCATIONS ACROSS MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES EVERY WEEK TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE WATER QUALITY FROM YOUR FAVORITE WATERWAYS AND BEACHES, SO THAT WE CAN INFORM THE PUBLIC IN REAL-TIME ON WHERE IT'S SAFE TO SWIM AND ENJOY THE WATER. IN 2023, WE ENHANCED OUR WATER QUALITY TESTING CAPACITY WITH THE ADDITION OF AERIAL AND UNDERWATER DRONES TO OUR POLLUTION REPORTING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM. THIS UPGRADE NOT ONLY AUGMENTED OUR ABILITY TO DETECT POLLUTION BUT ALSO EMPOWERED US TO VISUALLY DOCUMENT POLLUTION INCIDENTS AND HOLD THOSE RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE. ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES OF 2023 WAS THE CONFIRMATION OF THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THE PORTMIAMI PHASE III DREDGING PROJECT ON OUR CORAL REEFS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OUR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, DATING BACK TO 2014, LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR THIS CRUCIAL REVELATION, SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIKELY MILLIONS OF CORALS AND THE DEGRADATION OF 278 ACRES OF REEF HABITAT. THIS REPORT NOT ONLY UNDERSCORES THE URGENCY OF OUR MISSION BUT VALIDATES OUR RESEARCH AND CATALYZES EFFORTS FOR THE MITIGATION AND PROTECTION OF OUR REEFS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND RESILIENT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. POLICY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY BACKED BY SCIENCE, WE DEVELOP POLICY GOALS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY. FROM GRASSROOTS TO GRASSTOPS, WE ENGAGE THE PUBLIC, GARNER THEIR SUPPORT, AND WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT TO INSTILL LEGISLATION THAT ENSURES CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY. WHEN NECESSARY, WE PURSUE LITIGATION AGAINST VIOLATIONS OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, LIKE THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. ONE OF OUR "WATER WINS" FROM 2023 INCLUDES THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC) PROPOSING UPDATES TO ITS RULES FOR EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AT ALL NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS - AN OUTCOME DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY OUR EFFORTS AT SOUTH FLORIDA'S TURKEY POINT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. THESE CHANGES NOW REQUIRE NRC STAFF TO WEIGH CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE WHEN THEY RE-LICENSE PLANTS FOR LONGER OPERATING TERMS. ANOTHER "WATER WIN" FROM 2023 WAS THE RESULT OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED CANCER RISK FROM EATING FLORIDA SEAFOOD AND DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMING TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND THE FISHING COMMUNITIES WHO DEPEND ON IT. IN 2023, THE EPA AGREED WITH US, FINDING FLORIDA'S STANDARDS OUTDATED. THEY ORDERED STRICTER RULES TO PROTECT OUR WATERS, AND ON DECEMBER 1ST, THE EPA PROPOSED NEW RULES BASED ON THE LATEST SCIENCE. IF APPROVED, THE PROPOSED RULES WILL PROTECT THE HEALTH OF FLORIDIANS AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE WATER IN WHICH WE FISH AND RECREATE. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OUR WORK ALWAYS COMES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. WE MAKE IT EASY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY PLATFORM; WE PROVIDE TRAINING ON HOW TO OBSERVE AND REPORT POLLUTION THROUGH OUR 1,000 EYES ON THE WATER PROGRAM; WE DEVELOP HIGH SCHOOLERS INTO ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS THROUGH OUR JUNIOR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM; WE EDUCATE YOUTH THROUGH FLOATING CLASSROOMS AND YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION (YEA) DAYS; AND WE ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS IN HABITAT RESTORATIONS, KAYAK CLEANUPS, AND SHORE-BASED MARINE DEBRIS CLEANUPS. IN 2023, WE SAW RECORD NUMBERS FOR OUR PROGRAMS THE INCREASING ENTHUSIASM FROM YOUNG LEADERS LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED WITH OUR ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO GROW, WITH OVER 90 APPLICANTS FOR THE JUNIOR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM - SO WE ACCEPTED OUR LARGEST COHORT EVER WITH 35 JUNIOR AMBASSADORS AND SEVEN (7) JA LEADERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CLEANUP INITIATIVES, WE REMOVED A STAGGERING 6,996 POUNDS OF MARINE DEBRIS FROM BEACHES, BAYS, RIVERS, AND COASTAL AREAS THIS IS AN IMPRESSIVE INCREASE FROM THE 2,362 POUNDS OF TRASH REMOVED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. BY MOBILIZING AND EDUCATING RESIDENTS, OUR CLEANUP EFFORTS HAVE EXPANDED IN BOTH SCOPE AND IMPACT. FINALLY, WE ARE PIONEERING INNOVATIVE DESIGNS TO COMBAT HEAT, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, AND MITIGATE FLOODING WHILE IMPROVING HABITAT - SHOWCASING THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE ACTION IN BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS. THIS WORK FOCUSES ON ONGOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND IS AIDED BY AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE COMMUNITY INPUT TOOL THAT SOLICITS NOMINATIONS OF SITES FOR REVITALIZATION WITH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC SPACES, SUCH AS PARKING LOTS, SWALES, AND CANAL BANKS. ORGANIZATIONAL RECOGNITION ELEVATE PRIZE IN 2023, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & WATERKEEPER, RACHEL SILVERSTEIN, PH.D., WAS ANNOUNCED AS A WINNER OF THE ELEVATE PRIZE. BEYOND THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDING PROVIDED TO MIAMI WATERKEEPER BY THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION, RACHEL JOINED AN INCREDIBLE COHORT OF 12 NONPROFIT LEADERS WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING TAILORED RESOURCES FROM THE ELEVATE TEAM FOR TWO YEARS. THE ELEVATE PRIZE IS AN ANNUAL AWARD AND SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION THAT RECOGNIZES LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR THEIR IMPACT -- PROVIDING FUNDING, GREATER VISIBILITY, AND TAILORED RESOURCES TO HELP EXPAND AND AMPLIFY THEIR WORK. THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION WORKS TO MAKE GOOD FAMOUS BECAUSE, "WHEN WE AMPLIFY THE VISIBILITY OF THOSE CREATING SOCIAL IMPACT, EVERYONE CAN BE INSPIRED TO BE PROBLEM-SOLVERS AND AGENTS FOR CHANGE." THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION WANTS TO INCREASE THE VISIBILITY AND AWARENESS OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE LITERALLY CHANGING THE WORLD. THE TEAM IS CREATING A PLATFORM WHERE AUDIENCES CAN FIND, FOLLOW, AND CELEBRATE THEM, JUST AS THEY CAN FOR ATHLETES, ACTORS, AND REALITY TV STARS. WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE RACHEL BE NAMED AN ELEVATE PRIZE WINNER AND INCLUDED IN THE COHORT OF INCREDIBLE CHANGE-MAKERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE. KNIGHT FOUNDATION ALSO IN 2023, MIAMI WATERKEEPER LAUNCHED A NEW ERA OF GROWTH AND IMPACT, ACCELERATED BY A 5 MILLION INVESTMENT OVER SIX YEARS FROM THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION. THE INVESTMENT WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND OUR ABILITY TO INFORM AND ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA IN DEVELOPING CLIMATE RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS BY LEVERAGING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITAL TOOLS. RECOGNIZING MIAMI'S POTENTIAL TO SERVE AS AN INCUBATOR FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, WE AIM TO IMPLEMENT AND SCALE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS. WE PIONEER INNOVATIVE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES THAT CAN BE REPLICATED IN OTHER REGIONS GRAPPLING WITH SIMILAR CLIMATE-RELATED ISSUES, INSPIRING AND GUIDING COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE TOWARD SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT FUTURES. 1709316 true true false true false false false false false false true false false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 11 0 true 36 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 11 11 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true false true true true false FL X X BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER INC 3059050856 220 MIRACLE MILE CORAL GABLES FL 33134 RACHEL SILVERSTEIN EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 0.00 X 184053 0 0 H WEITZ JORDAN CHAIRMAN 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PHILIP KUSHLAN SECRETARY 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 GREGORY CLARK TREASURER 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 LAUREN HORNER EMERITUS 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARVIN WILMOTH DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 AARON STAUBER DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KATIA BULGARELLI DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 AMY CLEMENT DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GREGORY FRANKEL DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 EMILIE FRITZ VELOSO DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TRACY SLAVENS DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 184053 1 false true false LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGN 200 10TH STREET 4TH FLOOR BROOKLYN NY 11215 CONSULTING 250000 GKOLLABORATIVE INC 18 107TH ST MIAMI SHORES FL 33168 CONSULTING 115500 2 825601 2900194 3725795 HONORARIUMS & PROGRAM INCOME 813312 39317 39317 39317 4620 4620 3769732 39317 4620 X 184053 123316 29448 31289 983879 653867 157409 172603 90746 53358 15845 21543 87081 59577 12805 14699 739558 542182 121424 75952 14949 8414 804 5731 86867 69507 6914 10446 54558 31162 4875 18521 97390 61848 17116 18426 45734 40948 3687 1099 14289 14289 8376 8376 MEALS & CATERING 30302 10159 1754 18389 SPACE & EQUIPMENT RENTAL 28663 19915 8748 BANK SERVICE CHARGES 13882 798 1044 12040 RECRUITMENT SERVICES 13610 8023 5263 324 37613 11953 12571 13089 2531550 1709316 399335 422899 386673 1576410 802279 812173 29542 117448 4615 15473 77156 30802 46952 46354 58062 39028 1328123 2606886 91665 150499 58062 39914 149727 190413 X 1168396 1502332 10000 914141 1178396 2416473 1328123 2606886 1238182 -105 X false true X true false X 555604 942320 1361221 1254671 3725795 7839611 555604 942320 1361221 1254671 3725795 7839611 1299667 6539944 10490 5324 269 1248 4620 21951 7861562 56583 0.83190 0.98310 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 10188 17873 28061 1681255 1709316 235466 58867 150463 235466 385929 578894 16262 28061 44323 37616 58867 96483 144725 16262 10188 26450 SCHEDULE C, PART II-A LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WERE INCURRED IN 2023. SCHEDULE C, PART IV GENERAL PROMOTION OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION. 13694 1597 12097 63462 29205 34257 46354 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 39914 39914 X 3769627 -105 -105 3769732 3769732 2531550 2531550 2531550 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED THE PROVISIONS OF ASC NO 740, "ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES" ("ASC NO 740"). ASC 740 REQUIRED THAT THE IMPACT OF TAX POSITIONS TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IF THEY ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT OF BEING SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS MADE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AT 12/31/23 THERE WERE NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION FILES TAX RETURNS WITH US FEDERAL AND OTHER TAX AUTHORITIES FOR WHICH STATUE LIMITATIONS MAY GO BACK TO THE YEAR ENDED 2020. X X false false false false false false false false false RACHEL SILVERSTEIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 184053 184053 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IN 2023, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND WHEN NECESSARY, LEGAL ACTION. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE PROTECT A HEALTHY WATERSHED AND A VIBRANT COASTAL CULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A IN 2023, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND WHEN NECESSARY, LEGAL ACTION. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE PROTECT A HEALTHY WATERSHED AND A VIBRANT COASTAL CULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. MIAMI WATERKEEPER FOCUSES ON THREE MAIN AREAS: CLEAN WATER, ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION, AND SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCY. FIRST, WE TACKLE ISSUES OF POLLUTION TO ENSURE CLEAN WATER THROUGHOUT THE BISCAYNE BAY WATERSHED, FROM THE EVERGLADES TO OUR CORAL REEFS. SECOND, WE PROTECT THE ECOSYSTEMS THAT DEPEND ON THAT CLEAN WATER, INCLUDING CORALS, SEAGRASSES, AND MANGROVES. FINALLY, WE FOCUS ON SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCY, WHICH IMPACTS ALL AREAS OF OUR WORK. WE EMPLOY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO EACH FOCUS AREA: SCIENCE AND RESEARCH EVERYTHING WE DO STARTS WITH SCIENCE. WE ANALYZE EXISTING RESEARCH AND LEAD LARGE-SCALE NOVEL RESEARCH PROJECTS TO FILL IN KNOWLEDGE GAPS. WE ALSO VISIT OVER 30 LOCATIONS ACROSS MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES EVERY WEEK TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE WATER QUALITY FROM YOUR FAVORITE WATERWAYS AND BEACHES, SO THAT WE CAN INFORM THE PUBLIC IN REAL-TIME ON WHERE IT'S SAFE TO SWIM AND ENJOY THE WATER. IN 2023, WE ENHANCED OUR WATER QUALITY TESTING CAPACITY WITH THE ADDITION OF AERIAL AND UNDERWATER DRONES TO OUR POLLUTION REPORTING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM. THIS UPGRADE NOT ONLY AUGMENTED OUR ABILITY TO DETECT POLLUTION BUT ALSO EMPOWERED US TO VISUALLY DOCUMENT POLLUTION INCIDENTS AND HOLD THOSE RESPONSIBLE ACCOUNTABLE. ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES OF 2023 WAS THE CONFIRMATION OF THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THE PORTMIAMI PHASE III DREDGING PROJECT ON OUR CORAL REEFS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OUR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, DATING BACK TO 2014, LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR THIS CRUCIAL REVELATION, SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIKELY MILLIONS OF CORALS AND THE DEGRADATION OF 278 ACRES OF REEF HABITAT. THIS REPORT NOT ONLY UNDERSCORES THE URGENCY OF OUR MISSION BUT VALIDATES OUR RESEARCH AND CATALYZES EFFORTS FOR THE MITIGATION AND PROTECTION OF OUR REEFS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND RESILIENT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. POLICY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY BACKED BY SCIENCE, WE DEVELOP POLICY GOALS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY. FROM GRASSROOTS TO GRASSTOPS, WE ENGAGE THE PUBLIC, GARNER THEIR SUPPORT, AND WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT TO INSTILL LEGISLATION THAT ENSURES CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY. WHEN NECESSARY, WE PURSUE LITIGATION AGAINST VIOLATIONS OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, LIKE THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. ONE OF OUR "WATER WINS" FROM 2023 INCLUDES THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC) PROPOSING UPDATES TO ITS RULES FOR EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AT ALL NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS - AN OUTCOME DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY OUR EFFORTS AT SOUTH FLORIDA'S TURKEY POINT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. THESE CHANGES NOW REQUIRE NRC STAFF TO WEIGH CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE WHEN THEY RE-LICENSE PLANTS FOR LONGER OPERATING TERMS. ANOTHER "WATER WIN" FROM 2023 WAS THE RESULT OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED CANCER RISK FROM EATING FLORIDA SEAFOOD AND DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMING TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND THE FISHING COMMUNITIES WHO DEPEND ON IT. IN 2023, THE EPA AGREED WITH US, FINDING FLORIDA'S STANDARDS OUTDATED. THEY ORDERED STRICTER RULES TO PROTECT OUR WATERS, AND ON DECEMBER 1ST, THE EPA PROPOSED NEW RULES BASED ON THE LATEST SCIENCE. IF APPROVED, THE PROPOSED RULES WILL PROTECT THE HEALTH OF FLORIDIANS AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE WATER IN WHICH WE FISH AND RECREATE. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OUR WORK ALWAYS COMES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. WE MAKE IT EASY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY PLATFORM; WE PROVIDE TRAINING ON HOW TO OBSERVE AND REPORT POLLUTION THROUGH OUR 1,000 EYES ON THE WATER PROGRAM; WE DEVELOP HIGH SCHOOLERS INTO ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS THROUGH OUR JUNIOR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM; WE EDUCATE YOUTH THROUGH FLOATING CLASSROOMS AND YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION (YEA) DAYS; AND WE ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS IN HABITAT RESTORATIONS, KAYAK CLEANUPS, AND SHORE-BASED MARINE DEBRIS CLEANUPS. IN 2023, WE SAW RECORD NUMBERS FOR OUR PROGRAMS THE INCREASING ENTHUSIASM FROM YOUNG LEADERS LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED WITH OUR ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO GROW, WITH OVER 90 APPLICANTS FOR THE JUNIOR AMBASSADOR PROGRAM - SO WE ACCEPTED OUR LARGEST COHORT EVER WITH 35 JUNIOR AMBASSADORS AND SEVEN (7) JA LEADERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CLEANUP INITIATIVES, WE REMOVED A STAGGERING 6,996 POUNDS OF MARINE DEBRIS FROM BEACHES, BAYS, RIVERS, AND COASTAL AREAS THIS IS AN IMPRESSIVE INCREASE FROM THE 2,362 POUNDS OF TRASH REMOVED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. BY MOBILIZING AND EDUCATING RESIDENTS, OUR CLEANUP EFFORTS HAVE EXPANDED IN BOTH SCOPE AND IMPACT. FINALLY, WE ARE PIONEERING INNOVATIVE DESIGNS TO COMBAT HEAT, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, AND MITIGATE FLOODING WHILE IMPROVING HABITAT - SHOWCASING THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE ACTION IN BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS. THIS WORK FOCUSES ON ONGOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND IS AIDED BY AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE COMMUNITY INPUT TOOL THAT SOLICITS NOMINATIONS OF SITES FOR REVITALIZATION WITH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC SPACES, SUCH AS PARKING LOTS, SWALES, AND CANAL BANKS. ORGANIZATIONAL RECOGNITION ELEVATE PRIZE IN 2023, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & WATERKEEPER, RACHEL SILVERSTEIN, PH.D., WAS ANNOUNCED AS A WINNER OF THE ELEVATE PRIZE. BEYOND THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDING PROVIDED TO MIAMI WATERKEEPER BY THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION, RACHEL JOINED AN INCREDIBLE COHORT OF 12 NONPROFIT LEADERS WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING TAILORED RESOURCES FROM THE ELEVATE TEAM FOR TWO YEARS. THE ELEVATE PRIZE IS AN ANNUAL AWARD AND SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION THAT RECOGNIZES LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR THEIR IMPACT -- PROVIDING FUNDING, GREATER VISIBILITY, AND TAILORED RESOURCES TO HELP EXPAND AND AMPLIFY THEIR WORK. THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION WORKS TO MAKE GOOD FAMOUS BECAUSE, "WHEN WE AMPLIFY THE VISIBILITY OF THOSE CREATING SOCIAL IMPACT, EVERYONE CAN BE INSPIRED TO BE PROBLEM-SOLVERS AND AGENTS FOR CHANGE." THE ELEVATE PRIZE FOUNDATION WANTS TO INCREASE THE VISIBILITY AND AWARENESS OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE LITERALLY CHANGING THE WORLD. THE TEAM IS CREATING A PLATFORM WHERE AUDIENCES CAN FIND, FOLLOW, AND CELEBRATE THEM, JUST AS THEY CAN FOR ATHLETES, ACTORS, AND REALITY TV STARS. WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE RACHEL BE NAMED AN ELEVATE PRIZE WINNER AND INCLUDED IN THE COHORT OF INCREDIBLE CHANGE-MAKERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE. KNIGHT FOUNDATION ALSO IN 2023, MIAMI WATERKEEPER LAUNCHED A NEW ERA OF GROWTH AND IMPACT, ACCELERATED BY A 5 MILLION INVESTMENT OVER SIX YEARS FROM THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION. THE INVESTMENT WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND OUR ABILITY TO INFORM AND ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN SOUTH FLORIDA IN DEVELOPING CLIMATE RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS BY LEVERAGING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES AND DIGITAL TOOLS. RECOGNIZING MIAMI'S POTENTIAL TO SERVE AS AN INCUBATOR FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, WE AIM TO IMPLEMENT AND SCALE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS. WE PIONEER INNOVATIVE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES THAT CAN BE REPLICATED IN OTHER REGIONS GRAPPLING WITH SIMILAR CLIMATE-RELATED ISSUES, INSPIRING AND GUIDING COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE TOWARD SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT FUTURES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 AMY CLEMENT KENNY BROAD DIRECTOR TRUSTEE HUSBAND AND WIFE MARIA SCHWEDEL DAVID SCHWEDEL TRUSTEE TRUSTEE HUSBAND AND WIFE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE GOVERNING BODY REVIEWS AND SIGNS A CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD MEETS ANNUALLY TO DISCUSS AND DETERMINE CEO COMPENSATION. THEY CONSIDER COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND OTHER WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION NATIONALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE BOARD AND CEO MEET TO DISCUSS AND DETERMINE OFFICER COMPENSATION. THEY CONSIDER COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND OTHER WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION NATIONALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONSULTING 542,182 121,424 75,952 LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WERE INCURRED IN 2023.