Ocean Studies Charter School’s fourth annual Marine Debris Derby is set for Saturday, Jan. 27 at Caribbean Club in Key Largo. Event organizers are hoping to eclipse 13,000 pounds of debris collected by 150 young debris derby participants.
Prizes are on the line for most trash collected in the shoreline, kayak and boat divisions. Kids ages 3 to 14 from all Upper Keys schools are invited to join the competition. Locals can register individually or as a team of four ahead of time at www.go.rallyup.com/marinedebrisderby.
Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at Caribbean Club, MM 104 with the cleanup competition starting at 9 a.m. and ending at noon. An awards and after party will take place following the competition with live music, games, and environmental booths. REEF, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation, Island Dolphin Care and MarineLab are among the organizations onsite for the event.
Participants will receive a free breakfast and lunch and a signature debris derby T-shirt. There will be plenty of prizes and awards for individuals and teams with the most debris collected and category winners such as micro plastics, tires and a heavyweight division.
This year, Monroe County is helping organize the site locations for debris. Ocean Reef Conservation Association and Regan Roth Insurance are main sponsors. Other event sponsors are I.CARE, Overseas Dental, Robbie’s Marina, Vital Signs, Sons & Daughters of Italy and The Fish House.
