Congrats to our new Exec Committee and Board - hard work is already underway to bring positive, sustainable & resilient change to Oleta River State Park.  We aspire to launch many new initiatives and programs this year...but we will need YOUR support to make it all happen...welcome to the team Alex, David, Gloria, Gustavo, Janie, Kimberly, Nina, and Olga!

We love beach cleanup events and hope to plan many this year at Oleta with local community involvement and in partnerships with other non-profits. Nina & Kimberly attended a great beach cleanup at one of the GREENEST local hotels, The Palms Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach.  After the hard work of many volunteers, the beaches were spotless! 

Jacob Bennett has been appointed as Park Services Specialist - the Friends' liaison with Oleta.  Prior to Oleta, he worked at Glacier National Park in Montana and at a youth environmental education camp.  Jacob grew up in Clemson, SC and was inspired to pursue a career in park service by the many trips he took to national and state parks with his family.  Jacob was active in the boy scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout in 2007, and basically grew up in the outdoors.  He graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Parks Recreation and Tourism Management in 2012.

Jacob’s thoughts...

Favorite thing about the park:  being around the water and all of the water activities.

Goals: hopes we can grow the Friends and have more events to improve the park and let more people know about the park.

3/4 of our Exec Committee (Nina, Olga & Kimberly) attended the Miami Foundation's Public Space Challenge Kickoff Event.  It was a fabulous evening where we learned more about the many success stories the Foundation has led across our community - bringing to life local ideas founded on the goals and aspirations of making Miami a better for all of us.

We are excited to have new members and new interim board members! Our new board met this summer and we are thrilled about our upcoming events.