Keep Collier Beautiful is proud to partner with the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors (MIAAOR) for its Annual Waterway Cleanup, taking place Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 9:00 AM. This community-driven environmental initiative invites boaters, local businesses and organizations, and volunteers to help preserve the waterways that make Marco Island a treasured destination.
Participants will meet on Friday, July 25, a day before the cleanup, at the MIAAOR Conference Center, located at 140 Waterway Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145, to assign locations and coordinate logistics. On the next day, volunteer boaters will take to the waterways throughout Marco Island’s interconnected system of pristine beaches, residential canals, and protected bays, working together to remove debris and safeguard these critical marine environments. All necessary cleanup supplies will be provided.
“As real estate professionals, we understand that Marco Island’s pristine beaches, canals, and bays are fundamental to our community’s property values and desirability. But most importantly, we recognize the importance of cleaning our waterways to preserve the lifestyle and well-being of our community,” said Kandy Sweeney, MIAAOR Chief Executive Officer. “This annual cleanup demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the environmental quality that makes Marco Island one of Southwest Florida’s most sought-after real estate markets while showing how powerful community-wide participation can be in protecting our homes and surroundings.”
The Annual Waterway Cleanup has become a signature event for the Marco Island real estate community, with participants consistently demonstrating their dedication to environmental stewardship. This partnership with Keep Collier Beautiful for this year’s event aims to reach more volunteers and community partners, highlighting the positive impact of collaborative conservation efforts.
This cleanup is part of the Florida Realtors® “Clean Up Florida Waters” initiative. In 2024, Florida Realtors’ Clean Up Florida Waters initiative featured 141 events spanning 185 miles, with 3,040 participants contributing 520 volunteer hours. Remarkably, participants collected 41% more debris than in the 2023 effort.
Stellar MLS is the primary sponsor for Florida Realtors’ Clean Up Florida Waters; additional sponsors are Real MLS and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). MIAAOR is also collaborating with Marco Island Water Sports, Rose Marina, Waste Management, and Collier County to support local cleanup efforts.
Interested boaters and volunteers must register in advance here. For any inquiries about the cleanup event and potential partnerships, please contact Caroline Charde at (239) 394-5616 or carolinecharde@marcorealtor.com.
