A local nonprofit is launching a virtual paddle to send much-needed water south to Florida Bay.
‘Send it South’ is both a solution and call-to-action for Islamorada-based nonprofit Florida Bay Forever Save Our Waters. It is the solution to the woes of a perpetually parched bay, and has been the singular phrase to call for expedited Everglades restoration and change the status quo in water management. In the case of the Send it South Challenge, the phrase takes on the new meaning of a virtual month-long paddling fundraiser to benefit the organization and raise awareness for Florida Bay.
“There are billions of gallons of water currently being discharged from Lake Okeechobee that are not being stored, cleaned, and conveyed south to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay,” said Executive Director Emma Haydocy. “There is no better time to launch the virtual Send it South Challenge for our supporters to echo calls to send water south and paddle for a healthy estuary.”
The Send it South Challenge is a month-long virtual paddle race with the goal of paddling 26 miles between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15. The distance mirrors the mileage from Flamingo to the Upper Keys and represents how connected the Florida Keys are to Florida Bay and the greater Everglades. November and December mark the early dry season transition for the subtropical ecosystem and signify the last chance to build resilience for the estuary before the long dry down.
“Florida Bay Forever was born from the devastating impacts of the seagrass die-off event of 2015. While the momentum has shifted in the direction of Everglades restoration, there is still much work to be done to ensure that we have a hydrated and healthy bay for future generations,” says Board President Capt. Steve Friedman. “We are thrilled to host an event that gets people out on the water to raise awareness for a great cause.”
There are three course options depending on your paddling experience, ranging from 3.5-99 miles. Registration is $45 per paddler. Proceeds from registration will fund Florida Bay Forever’s ongoing ecosystem restoration education and outreach initiatives. If you are interested in participating in the event or learning more about Florida Bay Forever, please visit www.floridabayforever.org/send-it-south-challenge or contact Emma Haydocy at (786)572-7051, info@floridabayforever.org.
