History & Mission

EcoMB, originally named the Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches, is a registered 501(c)3 not for profit organization headquartered in Miami Beach Florida. EcoMB was established in 1994. EcoMB's mission is to educate and promote environmental sustainability and ecological preservation in Florida and Miami-Dade County in particular. The organization lists four primary objectives - reduce litter on beaches, parks, mangroves, waterways and surrounding islands; increase rates of recycling; promote, preserve and restore local coastal habitats; and decrease the greater community's carbon footprint

Carbon footprint

A carbon footprint has historically been defined as "the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.". However, calculating a carbon footprint which conforms to this definition is often impracticable due to the large amount of data required, which is...

.

Key Personnel

• Luiz Rodrigues is the current Executive Director, since 2001
• Jeffrey Forster, President of The Board of Trustees
• Gabriole Van Bryce, Treasurer

Monument Island Clean Up

Since the mid-1990's EcoMB organized clean up efforts for waste and refuse from Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay is a lagoon that is approximately 35 miles long and up to 8 miles wide located on the Atlantic coast of South Florida, United States. It is usually divided for purposes of discussion and analysis into three parts: North Bay, Central Bay, and South Bay. Its area is...

 accumulating on the Flagler Monument Island

Flagler Monument Island

Flagler Memorial Island is an artificial island that was built in 1920 along with the other Venetian Islands of Miami and Miami Beach, Florida, complete with a monument visible from the Flamingo Hotel in Miami Beach. A high obelisk with allegorical sculptures at its base stands as a monument to...

. In 2007 EcoMB officially "adopted" the island to keep it clean permanently, and since organizes monthly all volunteer community clean ups.

Litter Prevention

EcoMB has instituted a number of campaigns to help prevent litter and refuse from accumulating on the beach, hosting monthly beach sweeps, introducing artist designed litter bins on Miami-Dade County beaches and encouraging a county-wide adopt-a-beach program for businesses.

Raising The Bar

Raise The Bar is a recycling program aimed at raising awareness and promoting recycling at restaurants, bars, nightclubs and lounges in the greater Miami and beaches neighborhoods. The program hosts recycling campaigns and drives at entertainment venues throughout the city to encourage the industry to recycle.

Miami Beach Center For The Environment

In August 2010 it was announced that EcoMB had reached an agreement to partner with The City of Miami Beach to establish The Miami Beach Center For The Environment (MBCE) which will serve as the organizations headquarters, a public learning and environmental outreach center. The MBCE plans to install educational displays on the local environment, LEED building technology and landscaping showcases, demonstration areas, and a community recycling drop off. The MBCE hopes to begin renovation and restoration of the property throughout 2011 and is aiming to become the first LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....

 accredited building in the City of Miami Beach.

The MBCE has gained widespread local praise in the community with local politicians, current City Commissioner Michael Gongora, architect Chad Oppenheim, developer and entrepreneur Ken Fields

Ken Fields

-Early Life And Education:Fields was born and raised in New York City where he attended the prestigious Collegiate School on Manhattans upper west side, later transferring to The Indian Mountain School and The Salisbury School, both boarding schools in Lakeville CT...

and many more pledging their support.