2026-09-10T12:07:04-04:00 2025-12-31 943458074 GUTIERREZ MADARIAGA CPA PA 2525 PONCE DE LEON BLVD SUITE 300 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 990 2025-01-01 273627697 BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER INC BISC 3059050856 2121 PONCE DE LEON BLVD STE 230 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 RACHEL SILVERSTEIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI 3059050856 2026-09-03 true JOHN-PAUL MADARIAGA P01396578 3057781899 2026-09-10 X 2025 MIAMI WATERKEEPER RACHEL SILVERSTEIN 2121 PONCE DE LEON BLVD 230 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 4763499 false X HTTPS://WWW.MIAMIWATERKEEPER.ORG/ X 2010 FL IN 2025, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIEN 12 12 42 7610 0 4171596 4646140 40548 49402 53318 67957 0 4265462 4763499 194727 0 2326929 2442296 0 756452 1369951 1085145 3696880 3722168 568582 1041331 3928452 4768289 943603 736093 2984849 4032196 X IN 2025, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIEN false false 2580344 194727 MIAMI WATERKEEPER PROTECTS THE WATER YOU LOVE. WE WORK TO ENSURE A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. WE PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDAS WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY THE COMMUNITY BY EMPLOYING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STRATEGY: SCIENCE AND RESEARCH; POLICY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY; EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. WE FIND LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL PROBLEMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER POLLUTION. YOU MIGHT FIND US IN A COURTROOM ONE DAY, AND IN A KAYAK THE NEXT; SCUBA DIVING ALONG THE REEF IN THE MORNING, AND BENDING THE EAR OF COMMISSIONERS IN THE AFTERNOON. WERE IN CLASSROOMS AND WETLANDS, LABORATORIES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. WEVE SECURED SIGNIFICANT PROTECTIONS FOR OUR WATERWAYS BY FOCUSING ON THREE AREAS: CLEAN WATER, THRIVING HABITATS, AND A RESILIENT COMMUNITY. BY FIGHTING FOR CLEAN WATER AND OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE MAKING MIAMI A MODEL OF RESILIENCE FOR THE WORLDWATER WIN BY WATER WIN. CLEAN WATER FROM THE EVERGLADES TO THE OCEAN, FROM THE GROUNDWATER TO REEFS, WE TACKLE POLLUTION ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE BISCAYNE BAY WATERSHED TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDAS WATERS. EVERY WEEK, MIAMI WATERKEEPERS TEAM OF DEDICATED WATER QUALITY TECHNICIANS TESTS MORE THAN 34 POPULAR WATERFRONT SITES THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES FOR BACTERIA LEVELS. WE REPORT ALL OF OUR FINDINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ON OUR WEBSITE, AND IN THE EASY-TO-USE SWIM GUIDE APP HELPING THE PUBLIC KNOW WHETHER BEACHES AND WATERWAYS ARE SAFE TO ENJOY. OVER 159,000 PEOPLE HAVE VIEWED OUR RESULTS VIA SWIM GUIDE THIS YEAR. 1. WATER QUALITY SAMPLES COLLECTED: 1,387 SAMPLES 2. PUBLIC VIEWS ON SWIM GUIDE: 159,482 VIEWS 3. POLLUTION REPORTS RECEIVED AND RESPONDED TO: 96 4. SWIM ADVISORIES SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC: 4 THRIVING HABITATS WE PROTECT THE NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS OF SOUTH FLORIDACORAL REEFS, MANGROVES, SEAGRASSES, AND WETLANDSTHAT DEPEND ON CLEAN WATER AND HELP PROTECT OUR COASTS FROM THE IMPACTS OF STORM SURGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE. FLORIDAS RIVERS, LAKES, AND COASTAL WATERS SHOULD BE SAFE FOR DRINKING, SWIMMING, FISHING, AND SHELLFISH HARVESTINGBUT OUTDATED RULES PUT PEOPLE AT RISK. FLORIDAS WATER QUALITY STANDARDS THAT LIMIT EXPOSURE TO TOXIC, CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS HAVENT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 1992DESPITE A REQUIREMENT TO REVIEW THEM EVERY THREE YEARS. THE STATES HUMAN HEALTH CRITERIA, MEANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM DOZENS OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS, INCLUDING NEUROTOXINS AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS, ARE OVERDUE FOR REVISION. BOTH THE STATE AND THE EPA HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CURRENT LIMITS ARE NOT FULLY PROTECTIVE, YET UPDATES HAVE STALLED FOR DECADES. AFTER DECADES OF DELAY, WEVE STEPPED IN. ALONG WITH WATERKEEPERS FLORIDA AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ALLIANCE, WE PETITIONED THE EPA TO ENFORCE STRONGER PROTECTIONS. THE AGENCY BEGAN DRAFTING NEW STANDARDS FOR 77 TOXIC POLLUTANTS, BUT IN JANUARY 2025, THE EPA HALTED ALL NEW RULES AND WITHDREW THE DRAFT STANDARDS. UPDATING THESE STANDARDS IS ESSENTIAL TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, LOCAL FISHERIES, AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT RELY ON FLORIDAS WATERS. PORT EVERGLADES, ONE OF FLORIDAS BUSIEST PORTS, IS ALSO HOME TO SOME OF THE LAST STAGHORN CORALS AND QUEEN CONCH LEFT IN FLORIDA. A PLAN TO DEEPEN AND WIDEN THE CHANNELEERILY REMINISCENT OF THE PROJECT PLANNED AT PORTMIAMI- THREATENS TO RESULT IN THE LARGEST IMPACT TO CORAL REEFS PERMITTED IN U.S. HISTORY, ACCORDING TO NOAA. A RECENT REPORT WARNS THAT MORE THAN 10 MILLION CORALS COULD BE AT RISK. MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND OUR PARTNERS EARTHJUSTICE, CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY, THE DIVE EQUIPMENT AND MARKETING ASSOCIATION, AND FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING THIS PROJECT IN COURT SINCE 2016. WEVE SUCCEEDED IN REQUIRING NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR THE CORALS, FISH, AND WILDLIFE IN THE AREA. BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THIS REEFAFTER STAGHORN CORALS WERE DECLARED FUNCTIONALLY EXTINCT IN FLORIDA THIS YEARMEANS THAT THE STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN EVER. AS POLITICAL PRESSURE IS MOUNTING TO PUSH THIS PROJECT FORWARD, MIAMI WATERKEEPER LAUNCHED A WIDESPREAD, MULTI-PRONGED ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN. WEVE SENT TECHNICAL COMMENT LETTERS TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DEMANDING THAT THE PROJECT COMPLY WITH ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT REQUIREMENTS, AND WEVE LAUNCHED ADVERTISEMENTS AND A PETITION CAMPAIGN. OUR TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING REGULAR DIVES, PLANE FLIGHTS, AND SATELLITE ANALYSES, TO KEEP TRACK OF THE ACTIVITY IN THE AREA. DEEP BENEATH MIAMI-DADE, IN THE BISCAYNE AQUIFER, LIVES THE UNIQUE MIAMI CAVE CRAYFISH, FOUND ONLY IN MIAMIS UNDERGROUND FRESHWATER CAVES. THIS ENDEMIC SPECIES IS HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEAS, POLLUTION, AND OVER- PUMPINGTHREATS THAT ALSO IMPACT THE AQUIFER THAT SUPPLIES CLEAN WATER TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. TO PROTECT BOTH THE CRAYFISH AND THIS CRITICAL WATER SOURCE, MIAMI WATERKEEPERIN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO SECURE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROTECTIONS. THIS LEGAL ACTION AIMS TO RECOGNIZE THE CAVE CRAYFISH AS A THREATENED SPECIES AND, THEREFORE, SAFEGUARD ITS HABITAT, PRESERVE BIODIVERSITY, AND ENSURE RESILIENT DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES FOR MIAMI. SUCH ACTIONS DEMONSTRATE HOW PROTECTING A SINGLE SPECIES CAN HAVE FAR-REACHING BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE ALIKE. A RESILIENT COMMUNITY MIAMI IS AMONG THE WORLDS MOST VULNERABLE CITIES TO SEA-LEVEL RISE, SO ALL OF OUR WORK IS GUIDED BY ENSURING A MORE RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT SUPPORTS OUR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. ON THE EDGE OF BISCAYNE BAY, TWO NUCLEAR TURKEY POINT NUCLEAR PLANT POSES RISKS TO SOUTH FLORIDAS ECOSYSTEMS, COMMUNITIES, AND OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY. AS THE PLANT AGES AND SEA LEVELS RISE, NEW RISKS ADD PRESSURE TO THE PLANT, AND THE STAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER. MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND PARTNERS HAVE CHALLENGED THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS LICENSE EXTENSION AND ANALYZED ENVIRONMENTAL DATA TO UNCOVER EMERGING RISKS FROM THE PLANTS AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND COOLING CANALS. WE BROUGHT THESE COMPLEX ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH AN ANIMATED VIDEO SERIES, AN OP-ED IN THE MIAMI HERALD, AND COVERAGE IN THE GUARDIAN, BLOOMBERG, AND WPLG. BY COMBINING LAW, SCIENCE, AND STORYTELLING, WE ARE TURNING RISK INTO RESILIENCE AND SAFEGUARDING BISCAYNE BAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THIS VICTORY IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW HYPERLOCAL ADVOCACY CAN BE USED TO CHANGE OUTCOMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MIAMI WATERKEEPERS EPA AND NFWF-FUNDED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ACCELERATOR PROJECT IS ADVANCING NEW SOLUTIONS TO URBAN WATER CHALLENGES, AND LARCHMONT PARK IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF HOW COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DESIGN CAN IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, MIAMI WATERKEEPER WORKED WITH LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTYS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACES TO DESIGN RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS FOR 6 UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC SPACES. AFTER DOZENS OF COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS, TABLING EVENTS, TOWN HALLS, AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, LOCATIONS LIKE LARCHMONT PARK ARE BEING REIMAGINED WITH NATURE-BASED STRATEGIES SUCH AS RAIN GARDENS, TREE PLANTINGS, AND OTHER GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FEATURES THAT CAPTURE AND FILTER STORMWATER, REDUCE FLOODING AND HEAT, AND CREATE HEALTHIER, MORE LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS WORK ACTIVELY ENGAGES RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN PLANNING AND FEEDBACK TO ENSURE THAT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVES WATER FILTRATION, SUPPORTS HABITATS, AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. ENGAGEMENT MIAMI WATERKEEPER CELEBRATED ITS 10TH MICROPLASTIC CLEAN-UP, BRINGING TOGETHER A TOTAL OF 326 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO REMOVE 879 LBS OF MARINE DEBRIS FROM LOCAL MANGROVES AND WATERWAYS. EACH PIECE COLLECTED HELPS PROTECT BISCAYNE BAYS FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE, TRANSFORMING HANDS-ON ACTION INTO MEASURABLE IMPACT. MICROPLASTICS AND MARINE DEBRIS HARM FISH, BIRDS, AND AQUATIC HABITATS, AND CAN MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE FOOD CHAIN. EACH CLEAN-UP REDUCES POLLUTION, STRENGTHENS ECOSYSTEMS, AND HELPS ENSURE HEALTHIER WATERS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA RESIDENTS AND WILDLIFE ALIKE. FROM MANGROVES TO CANALS, EVERY CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF COMMUNITY ACTION. THIS YEAR, OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT HAVE REACHED THOUSANDS. 1. COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED: 6,091PARTICIPANTS 2. LBS OF MARINE DEBRIS REMOVED: 6,418.77 POUNDS 3. COMMUNITY MEMBERS TRAINED IN 1,000 EYES ON THE WATER: 397 PARTICIPANTS 4. ACRES OF HABITAT RESTORED: 21.5 ACRES 2580344 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true true true true false false false false false false false false false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 21 0 42 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 12 12 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false FL X X BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER INC 3059050856 2121 PONCE DE LEON BLVD STE 230 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 RACHEL SILVERSTEIN CHIEF EXECUT 40.00 X 209690 0 0 AMANDA PRIETO CHIEF OPERAT 40.00 X 138887 0 4200 CHRISTOPHER BOYKIN CHIEF DEVELO 40.00 X 181581 0 5549 REBECCA SHARPE-ZOUINE CHIEF TECHNO 40.00 X 101145 0 2288 JAIMEE SPECTOR VP OF DEVELO 40.00 X 101320 0 3150 H WEITZ JORDAN CHAIRMAN 2.00 X X 0 0 0 PHILIP KUSHLAN SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MARVIN WILMOTH TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 AARON STAUBER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 GREGORY CLARK DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 GREGORY FRANKEL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 EMILIE FRITZ VELOSO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 TRACY SLAVENS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ALEJANDRO DE ONIS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ELLEN LEVINSON DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 SETH CASSEL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 PAULA TOLLIVER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 732623 15187 5 false true false 707134 3939006 4646140 HONORARIUMS & PROGRAM INCOME 49402 49402 49402 67957 67957 4763499 49402 67957 194727 194727 643340 427070 70577 145693 1466947 973804 160929 332214 177015 99281 29929 47805 154994 102920 16411 35663 53769 53769 125883 96819 29064 6197 3818 2379 65992 56581 2297 7114 149671 96377 22734 30560 45119 41504 2484 1131 15484 15484 16832 371 16461 DIGITAL PRODUCTS AND OUTR 352301 309100 1766 41435 EVENT AND FUNDRAISING 90526 8791 81735 SPACE & EQUIPMENT RENTAL 32415 32008 407 MEALS & CATERING 29403 29049 16 338 101553 38871 32704 29978 3722168 2580344 385372 756452 728927 712543 2278260 3268066 132187 152346 44709 30639 80361 61717 30923 18644 713446 586051 3928452 4768289 209359 111949 734244 624144 943603 736093 X 1595160 2395898 1389689 1636298 2984849 4032196 3928452 4768289 1041331 6016 X false true X true false X 1361221 1254671 3725795 4171596 4646140 15159423 1361221 1254671 3725795 4171596 4646140 15159423 3702789 11456634 269 1248 4620 53318 67957 127412 15286835 146533 0.74940 0.84210 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 22105 102905 125010 3597158 3722168 336108 84027 150463 235466 279571 336108 1001608 1502412 16262 28061 115150 125010 284483 37616 58867 69893 84027 250403 375605 16262 10188 17056 22105 65611 SCHEDULE C, PART II-A LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WERE INCURRED IN 2025. SCHEDULE C, PART IV GENERAL PROMOTION OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION. 16899 7129 9770 63462 54588 8874 18644 OPERATING LEASE, RIGHT OF USE 557018 DEPOSITS 29033 586051 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 624144 624144 X 4769515 6016 6016 4763499 4763499 3722168 3722168 3722168 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED THE PROVISIONS OF ASC NO 740, "ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES" ("ASC NO 740"). ASC 740 REQUIRED THAT THE IMPACT OF TAX POSITIONS TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IF THEY ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT OF BEING SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS MADE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AT 12/31/25 THERE WERE NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION FILES TAX RETURNS WITH US FEDERAL AND OTHER TAX AUTHORITIES FOR WHICH STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS MAY GO BACK TO THE YEAR ENDED 2022. true EVERGLADES LAW CENTER INC 6815 BISCAYNE BLVD STE 103-449 MIAMI FL 33138 593082799 501C3 38597 PISCES FUNDING SUBGR LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DE 200 10TH STREET 4TH FL BROOKLYN NY 11215 205603405 67000 EPA GRANT GREEN INFR M NETWORK 14 NE 1ST AVE 405 MIAMI FL 33132 200463073 55702 COMMUNICATION AWAREN PEER GROUP 140 NE 84TH STREET 1365 MIAMI FL 33138 844084941 501C3 25928 RESILIENCE WORK 2 2 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 THIS SCOPE OF WORK DEFINES THE ALLOWABLE USE OF FUNDS PROVIDED TO THE SUBGRANTEE TO SUPPORT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, ENSURING THAT EXPENDITURES ALIGN WITH APPROVED BUDGET CATEGORIES AND PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. FUNDING ALLOCATION EVENT-BASED FUNDING (1,000 PER EVENT) FOR EACH APPROVED EVENT, THE SUBGRANTEE MAY ALLOCATE UP TO 1,000. THESE FUNDS ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO DIRECT EVENT-RELATED COSTS BENEFITING PARTICIPATING YOUTH. ALLOWABLE EXPENSES INCLUDE: - TRANSPORTATION (E.G., BUS RENTALS, TRANSIT PASSES, MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT - FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED DURING THE EVENT - OTHER DIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUTH PARTICIPATION (E.G., MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, ENTRY FEES) RESTRICTIONS: NO PERSONNEL COSTS SUBGRANTEE FUNDS MAY NOT BE USED TO COVER PERSONNEL-RELATED EXPENSES NECESSARY FOR PROGRAM DELIVERY. NON-ALLOWABLE COSTS INCLUDE: - SALARIES AND WAGES FOR STAFF DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, INCLUDING HEALTH INSURANCE, RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYROLL TAXES - OTHER PERSONNEL-RELATED EXPENSES, SUCH AS STIPENDS OR CONTRACTED STAFF PERFORMING PROGRAM FUNCTIONS THE SUBRECIPIENT SHALL RETAIN ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND SHALL MAKE ITS BOOKS AND RECORDS PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT. MIAMI WATERKEEPER SHALL AT ALL TIMES HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVIEW, AUDIT AND INSPECT ONGOING WORK, THE PROJECT SITE, RELATED DOCUMENTS AND ANY FINANCIAL BOOKS AND RECORDS, FOR PURPOSES OF INSPECTING THE SAME AND DETERMINING THAT WORK IS BEING PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. X X false false false false false false false false false RACHEL SILVERSTEIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI 209690 209690 CHRISTOPHER BOYKIN CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OF 181581 5549 187130 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IN 2025, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND WHEN NECESSARY, LEGAL ACTION. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE PROTECT A HEALTHY WATERSHED AND A VIBRANT COASTAL CULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A MIAMI WATERKEEPER PROTECTS THE WATER YOU LOVE. WE WORK TO ENSURE A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. WE PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDAS WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY THE COMMUNITY BY EMPLOYING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STRATEGY: SCIENCE AND RESEARCH; POLICY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY; EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. WE FIND LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL PROBLEMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER POLLUTION. YOU MIGHT FIND US IN A COURTROOM ONE DAY, AND IN A KAYAK THE NEXT; SCUBA DIVING ALONG THE REEF IN THE MORNING, AND BENDING THE EAR OF COMMISSIONERS IN THE AFTERNOON. WERE IN CLASSROOMS AND WETLANDS, LABORATORIES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. WEVE SECURED SIGNIFICANT PROTECTIONS FOR OUR WATERWAYS BY FOCUSING ON THREE AREAS: CLEAN WATER, THRIVING HABITATS, AND A RESILIENT COMMUNITY. BY FIGHTING FOR CLEAN WATER AND OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE MAKING MIAMI A MODEL OF RESILIENCE FOR THE WORLDWATER WIN BY WATER WIN. CLEAN WATER FROM THE EVERGLADES TO THE OCEAN, FROM THE GROUNDWATER TO REEFS, WE TACKLE POLLUTION ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE BISCAYNE BAY WATERSHED TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDAS WATERS. EVERY WEEK, MIAMI WATERKEEPERS TEAM OF DEDICATED WATER QUALITY TECHNICIANS TESTS MORE THAN 34 POPULAR WATERFRONT SITES THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES FOR BACTERIA LEVELS. WE REPORT ALL OF OUR FINDINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ON OUR WEBSITE, AND IN THE EASY-TO-USE SWIM GUIDE APP HELPING THE PUBLIC KNOW WHETHER BEACHES AND WATERWAYS ARE SAFE TO ENJOY. OVER 159,000 PEOPLE HAVE VIEWED OUR RESULTS VIA SWIM GUIDE THIS YEAR. 1. WATER QUALITY SAMPLES COLLECTED: 1,387 SAMPLES 2. PUBLIC VIEWS ON SWIM GUIDE: 159,482 VIEWS 3. POLLUTION REPORTS RECEIVED AND RESPONDED TO: 96 4. SWIM ADVISORIES SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC: 4 THRIVING HABITATS WE PROTECT THE NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS OF SOUTH FLORIDACORAL REEFS, MANGROVES, SEAGRASSES, AND WETLANDSTHAT DEPEND ON CLEAN WATER AND HELP PROTECT OUR COASTS FROM THE IMPACTS OF STORM SURGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE. FLORIDAS RIVERS, LAKES, AND COASTAL WATERS SHOULD BE SAFE FOR DRINKING, SWIMMING, FISHING, AND SHELLFISH HARVESTINGBUT OUTDATED RULES PUT PEOPLE AT RISK. FLORIDAS WATER QUALITY STANDARDS THAT LIMIT EXPOSURE TO TOXIC, CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS HAVENT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 1992DESPITE A REQUIREMENT TO REVIEW THEM EVERY THREE YEARS. THE STATES HUMAN HEALTH CRITERIA, MEANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM DOZENS OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS, INCLUDING NEUROTOXINS AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS, ARE OVERDUE FOR REVISION. BOTH THE STATE AND THE EPA HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CURRENT LIMITS ARE NOT FULLY PROTECTIVE, YET UPDATES HAVE STALLED FOR DECADES. AFTER DECADES OF DELAY, WEVE STEPPED IN. ALONG WITH WATERKEEPERS FLORIDA AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ALLIANCE, WE PETITIONED THE EPA TO ENFORCE STRONGER PROTECTIONS. THE AGENCY BEGAN DRAFTING NEW STANDARDS FOR 77 TOXIC POLLUTANTS, BUT IN JANUARY 2025, THE EPA HALTED ALL NEW RULES AND WITHDREW THE DRAFT STANDARDS. UPDATING THESE STANDARDS IS ESSENTIAL TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, LOCAL FISHERIES, AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT RELY ON FLORIDAS WATERS. PORT EVERGLADES, ONE OF FLORIDAS BUSIEST PORTS, IS ALSO HOME TO SOME OF THE LAST STAGHORN CORALS AND QUEEN CONCH LEFT IN FLORIDA. A PLAN TO DEEPEN AND WIDEN THE CHANNELEERILY REMINISCENT OF THE PROJECT PLANNED AT PORTMIAMI- THREATENS TO RESULT IN THE LARGEST IMPACT TO CORAL REEFS PERMITTED IN U.S. HISTORY, ACCORDING TO NOAA. A RECENT REPORT WARNS THAT MORE THAN 10 MILLION CORALS COULD BE AT RISK. MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND OUR PARTNERS EARTHJUSTICE, CENTER FOR BIODIVERSITY, THE DIVE EQUIPMENT AND MARKETING ASSOCIATION, AND FLORIDA WILDLIFE FEDERATION HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING THIS PROJECT IN COURT SINCE 2016. WEVE SUCCEEDED IN REQUIRING NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR THE CORALS, FISH, AND WILDLIFE IN THE AREA. BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THIS REEFAFTER STAGHORN CORALS WERE DECLARED FUNCTIONALLY EXTINCT IN FLORIDA THIS YEARMEANS THAT THE STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN EVER. AS POLITICAL PRESSURE IS MOUNTING TO PUSH THIS PROJECT FORWARD, MIAMI WATERKEEPER LAUNCHED A WIDESPREAD, MULTI-PRONGED ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN. WEVE SENT TECHNICAL COMMENT LETTERS TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DEMANDING THAT THE PROJECT COMPLY WITH ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT REQUIREMENTS, AND WEVE LAUNCHED ADVERTISEMENTS AND A PETITION CAMPAIGN. OUR TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING REGULAR DIVES, PLANE FLIGHTS, AND SATELLITE ANALYSES, TO KEEP TRACK OF THE ACTIVITY IN THE AREA. DEEP BENEATH MIAMI-DADE, IN THE BISCAYNE AQUIFER, LIVES THE UNIQUE MIAMI CAVE CRAYFISH, FOUND ONLY IN MIAMIS UNDERGROUND FRESHWATER CAVES. THIS ENDEMIC SPECIES IS HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEAS, POLLUTION, AND OVER- PUMPINGTHREATS THAT ALSO IMPACT THE AQUIFER THAT SUPPLIES CLEAN WATER TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. TO PROTECT BOTH THE CRAYFISH AND THIS CRITICAL WATER SOURCE, MIAMI WATERKEEPERIN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO SECURE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROTECTIONS. THIS LEGAL ACTION AIMS TO RECOGNIZE THE CAVE CRAYFISH AS A THREATENED SPECIES AND, THEREFORE, SAFEGUARD ITS HABITAT, PRESERVE BIODIVERSITY, AND ENSURE RESILIENT DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES FOR MIAMI. SUCH ACTIONS DEMONSTRATE HOW PROTECTING A SINGLE SPECIES CAN HAVE FAR-REACHING BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE AND NATURE ALIKE. A RESILIENT COMMUNITY MIAMI IS AMONG THE WORLDS MOST VULNERABLE CITIES TO SEA-LEVEL RISE, SO ALL OF OUR WORK IS GUIDED BY ENSURING A MORE RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT SUPPORTS OUR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. ON THE EDGE OF BISCAYNE BAY, TWO NUCLEAR TURKEY POINT NUCLEAR PLANT POSES RISKS TO SOUTH FLORIDAS ECOSYSTEMS, COMMUNITIES, AND OUR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY. AS THE PLANT AGES AND SEA LEVELS RISE, NEW RISKS ADD PRESSURE TO THE PLANT, AND THE STAKES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER. MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND PARTNERS HAVE CHALLENGED THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS LICENSE EXTENSION AND ANALYZED ENVIRONMENTAL DATA TO UNCOVER EMERGING RISKS FROM THE PLANTS AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND COOLING CANALS. WE BROUGHT THESE COMPLEX ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH AN ANIMATED VIDEO SERIES, AN OP-ED IN THE MIAMI HERALD, AND COVERAGE IN THE GUARDIAN, BLOOMBERG, AND WPLG. BY COMBINING LAW, SCIENCE, AND STORYTELLING, WE ARE TURNING RISK INTO RESILIENCE AND SAFEGUARDING BISCAYNE BAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THIS VICTORY IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW HYPERLOCAL ADVOCACY CAN BE USED TO CHANGE OUTCOMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MIAMI WATERKEEPERS EPA AND NFWF-FUNDED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ACCELERATOR PROJECT IS ADVANCING NEW SOLUTIONS TO URBAN WATER CHALLENGES, AND LARCHMONT PARK IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF HOW COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DESIGN CAN IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, MIAMI WATERKEEPER WORKED WITH LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTYS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACES TO DESIGN RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS FOR 6 UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC SPACES. AFTER DOZENS OF COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS, TABLING EVENTS, TOWN HALLS, AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK, LOCATIONS LIKE LARCHMONT PARK ARE BEING REIMAGINED WITH NATURE-BASED STRATEGIES SUCH AS RAIN GARDENS, TREE PLANTINGS, AND OTHER GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FEATURES THAT CAPTURE AND FILTER STORMWATER, REDUCE FLOODING AND HEAT, AND CREATE HEALTHIER, MORE LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. THIS WORK ACTIVELY ENGAGES RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN PLANNING AND FEEDBACK TO ENSURE THAT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVES WATER FILTRATION, SUPPORTS HABITATS, AND STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. ENGAGEMENT MIAMI WATERKEEPER CELEBRATED ITS 10TH MICROPLASTIC CLEAN-UP, BRINGING TOGETHER A TOTAL OF 326 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO REMOVE 879 LBS OF MARINE DEBRIS FROM LOCAL MANGROVES AND WATERWAYS. EACH PIECE COLLECTED HELPS PROTECT BISCAYNE BAYS FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE, TRANSFORMING HANDS-ON ACTION INTO MEASURABLE IMPACT. MICROPLASTICS AND MARINE DEBRIS HARM FISH, BIRDS, AND AQUATIC HABITATS, AND CAN MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE FOOD CHAIN. EACH CLEAN-UP REDUCES POLLUTION, STRENGTHENS ECOSYSTEMS, AND HELPS ENSURE HEALTHIER WATERS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA RESIDENTS AND WILDLIFE ALIKE. FROM MANGROVES TO CANALS, EVERY CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF COMMUNITY ACTION. THIS YEAR, OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT HAVE REACHED THOUSANDS. 1. COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED: 6,091PARTICIPANTS 2. LBS OF MARINE DEBRIS REMOVED: 6,418.77 POUNDS 3. COMMUNITY MEMBERS TRAINED IN 1,000 EYES ON THE WATER: 397 PARTICIPANTS 4. ACRES OF HABITAT RESTORED: 21.5 ACRES FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 MARIA SCHWEDEL DAVID SCHWEDEL TRUSTEE TRUSTEE HUSBAND AND WIFE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE GOVERNING BODY REVIEWS AND SIGNS A CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD MEETS ANNUALLY TO DISCUSS AND DETERMINE CEO COMPENSATION. THEY CONSIDER COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND OTHER WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION NATIONALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE BOARD AND CEO MEET TO DISCUSS AND DETERMINE OFFICER COMPENSATION. THEY CONSIDER COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND OTHER WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION NATIONALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WERE INCURRED IN 2025.