As another successful Earth Day has come to a close, I would like to recognize and thank my incredible team of volunteers whose hard work and commitment made this event day truly exceptional. I also appreciate the dedication of my six Broward Sierra Group team players who have meticulously planned every aspect of this year's event, and they didn’t miss a single beat! There were opportunities for everyone to learn from and to explore!
The Plastic Waste Art contest was overwhelmingly successful! The 21 students who participated in the contest were recognized for their hard work and creativity, which was clearly reflected in their art projects and essays. Their commitment to sharing powerful messages about the harms of plastic pollution affecting both humans and marine life was evident in their thoughtful and expressive creations. This made the judging process especially challenging, as each project demonstrated passion and originality.
In the end, it was a difficult decision for the judges to choose the winners. When the final votes were cast, County Commissioner Beam Furr announced the top three winners, along with an additional third-place award in recognition of the outstanding quality of all the students’ work. I am truly proud of all the students, and their dedication to express their understanding of the harmful effects of plastic through their art and in their essays. I hope their participation in the art contest inspired them to continue advocating against plastic pollution in the future. And this year, 10 students from Hollywood will display their artwork from the contest at Hollywood City Hall beginning in April through Earth Day.
Check out the link to the students' art projects.
The Earth Day 2026 event theme of “Water is the Center of Everything,” and it offered attendees the opportunity to learn about PFAS “forever chemicals” found in our drinking water and waterways, and their potential impacts on human health. One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to learn about water quality from two leading water toxicologists.
Dr. Jamie DeWitt, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology and Director of the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University, delivered the keynote address, sharing insights from her groundbreaking research on how environmental contaminants affect human health and the immune system. As she described the long list of everyday household products that contain PFAS, it became a true eye-opener for the audience, revealing just how widespread and significant the problem has become.
Dr. Natalia Soares Quinete, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida International University’s Institute of Environment, presented her research on environmental contaminants that are impacting South Florida’s waterways and drinking water. She shared her research about the presence of PFAS locally in South Florida, and some of the sources that have led to high contamination levels in multiple waterways.
Our third speaker, Katrina Shadix, a passionate advocate for wildlife and habitat preservation, spoke about her involvement in major conservation initiatives such as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Summit and research efforts, including Bear Conservation, Ecology, and Behavior at the Wildlife Research Institute. She also shared her experiences challenging polluters through legal action and holding government agencies accountable; offering a powerful perspective on the role of advocacy in protecting Florida’s ecosystems.
In the Exhibit Hall, native plant specialist Phil Busey shared his expertise to his attendees about the value of South Florida’s native plant species and the benefits of incorporating them into local landscapes for beauty, sustainability, and environmental preservation. Attendees also enjoyed a special presentation from Master Beekeeper Joanna Diamond, who highlighted the critical role honeybees play in pollination and demonstrated how bees live and produce honey within their hives.
In addition, Xavier DeRoos of Renuable led a hands-on workshop about the environmental benefits of composting and how individuals can incorporate it into everyday life.
In the Anne Kolb Courtyard, 17 exhibitors representing organizations dedicated to turtle conservation, coral reef and marine animal research and protection, native plant education, local city sustainability water quality initiatives, wildlife and science education, research solutions to improve water quality in our waterways, and community outreach programs that promote literacy, leadership, community involvement, and environmental stewardship.
See more pictures of Earth Day here!
Throughout the day, the Swamp Blues Band provided lively background music, creating an engaging atmosphere that encouraged visitors to explore, learn, and deepen their appreciation for environmental advocacy and community involvement.
Our day ended with a dance party celebrating Broward Sierra Group's culmination of an Earth Day dedicated to environmental advocacy by using education and creative initiatives to inspire the attendees to acknowledge that water connects us, sustains us, and is a part of our everyday lives. Yet many of our communities face growing challenges as pollutants threaten our drinking water and the waterways we depend on. In the end, we empowered our community to take meaningful action and to protect the resources that impact all of us. Everyone deserves access to clean, safe water; it’s a basic human right...... And that's all!!!!!