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Miami Beach – known world wide as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – and we couldn’t agree more. But there is a problem that plagues Miami Beach, as well as literally every other beach in the United States: They’re disappearing. Not figuratively. Literally disappearing, and right from under our feet. Don’t believe that? Just look at the numbers: *485+ miles, or about 60%, of the state’s beaches are experiencing erosion; 387 of Florida’s 825 miles of beaches have experienced “critical erosion” which, in other words, threatens substantial development, recreational, cultural and environmental interests. The state has noticed this epidemic and is why *in 2006 over $582 million was appropriated for beach erosion control activities and hurricane recovery in Florida alone. Half a billion, just in Florida! So imagine what that budget is nationwide. It’s a serious problem and needs to be addressed.
 

*Statistics courtesy of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

There is a responsibility here, one not just for our local and state governments, but also to those of us that call Miami Beach (and ALL the beaches endangered by erosion) home. This burden cannot, and should not, fall on the shoulders of a few. This is EVERY ONES responsibility to keep our beloved Miami Beach safe and clean so it can prosper. These beaches provide your family, and millions of others, with joyous memories and beautiful scenery so we owe it to the future generations to make the survival of Miami Beach a success so they can enjoy it as much as we have.

2011 Miami Beach Cleanup. Photo credit: Jesse Wicker

Thankfully Barefoot Wine and the Surfrider Foundation see the epidemic and have teamed up to assist in keeping America’s beaches beautiful and bountiful. For the past 6 years the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project has been cleaning up beaches all across the U.S. and this year has been better than ever, with 25 cleanups and restorations so far. They have organized a community beach restoration event from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday August 25th at 53rd Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach where the community will come together and clean up Miami Beach. This entails removing trash and litter, planting new plants to supplement the existing ones and removing invasive species that promote the erosion of the beach. We encourage everyone to take part in this cleanup of our beach – just look for the Surfrider tent and you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Following the cleanup there will be a restoration celebration for volunteers that are 21+ at the Hurricane Grill at 3201 North Miami Avenue, just across the Julia Tuttle Causeway, from 5pm to 7pm. Barefoot and the Surfrider Foundation have a special section just for the volunteers where complimentary food, wine and bubbly will be available! Do our beach good, connect with new people and enjoy some great food and wine August 25th! As Barefoot Wine says, let’s keep our beaches ‘Barefoot Friendly!’

We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to Barefoot, the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project and the Surfrider Foundation for spearheading a growing epidemic. From all of us that call Miami and Miami Beach home, thank you.