Waterway, Park & Beach Clean-up Events

Thank you Fort Lauderdale neighbors for being so incredibly giving of your time. If you are looking for a fun way to help your City, get some fresh air, and do something important to preserve our natural resources, support the tourism economy, beautify our City and protect local wildlife, then consider participating in one of these seasonal or annual activities.

The Great Air Potato Round-Up

The air potato is an example of a non-native invasive plant which local horticulturists and forestry experts have been trying to eradicate from South Florida in order to protect and preserve our native vegetation. Fort Lauderdale neighbors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the plant and to remove it from their yards and the public landscape whenever it is spotted. Once per year, we host a round-up event in one of our city parks.  Part work day and part contest, the goal is to collect and destroy as many of the invasive plant bulbils as possible. At our last events, over 75 of Fort Lauderdale's neighbors volunteered and collected over 2,000 pounds of air potatoes.  This is a great way for families or small groups of friends to volunteer together.

Invasive Removal and Native Plantings

Volunteers can help us to eradicate other non-native plants as well. A few times per year, our Urban Forester will host an event at a local park or other area that needs attention. You can be assured a fun day that will give you a great workout, useful knowledge, and a chance to meet your neighbors. For the past several years, during Earth Month, we have held these events at Snyder Park in an effort to manually remove invasive species. These events generally require a great amount of physical exertion.  Please check event details to determine whether participation is right for you.

Waterway and Beach Cleanups

Fort Lauderdale's beaches, canals and rivers are some of the cleanest urban waterways and shores in the nation, but even pristine sand and blueways need attention now and then. We partner with the Parks and Recreation Department and other organizations to offer our neighbors opportunities to work on the beach and the waterways and to learn about the unique habitats there, while providing a helpful service to the community.  These are great events for scouting troops and other youth organizations, businesses and charitable groups.

Please check our City and GYR calendars for dates and locations.