Vizcaya is talking trash

In 2016, Vizcaya approached the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and CARTHE, a team of ocean scientists at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science to start a conversation about trash and pollution at Vizcaya.

Together they launched an experiment,The Biscayne Bay Drift Card Study (#BayDrift), to identify the origin of the trash washing up into the basin of the Barge and mangroves around Vizcaya as well as the rest of Biscayne Bay. 

Robert Knight writes for the Gainesville Sun: “If there ever was a time to be optimistic about Florida’s environmental future, it is now. After 18 years of one-party rule in this state, Florida’s natural environment is at an all-time low. Daily images of dead fish, turtles, manatees and even whale sharks, with a green-slime-icing for emphasis, leave no doubt that the political status quo has failed Florida and its animal and human inhabitants...

How #BayDrift works: 
Throughout the year, the Bay Drift team conducted four experiments,in different seasons and during different tides. At each experiment small wooden drift cards (inscribed with instructions on how to report them when found) were released by school students and members of the community. Additionally, CARTHE released GPS-equipped biodegradable drifters, designed to capture accurate tracks as they move through the bay.

What they learned in Year 1:
Data tracks reveal how currents and tides move debris around Biscayne Bay. Though scientists are still analyzing the data, it is clear that trash released in the bay, remains in the bay. Some of the satellite tracked drifters did leave the bay and followed the Gulf Stream into the North Atlantic, but the majority swirled through Biscayne Bay. 

One of the most important aspects of this study is connecting people through citizen science. Over a dozen environmental organizations and community agencies have joined Vizcaya, Frost Science and CARTHE to conduct the experiments. Hundreds of school students and community members have volunteered to release drift cards and and dozens of citizen scientists have recovered and reported drift cards. The project has raised awareness about ocean science, the effects of pollution and provided an opportunity for community organizations to work together, to keep South Florida’s bays and oceans clean.

Year 2 of #BayDrift:
Throughout the year, Vizcaya will host programs to decorate drift cards and share updates about the project. Visit the Vizcaya Calendar page for dates and more information.

While it may seem that decorating the drift cards is just a “nice touch,” it actually serves as a critical component for #BayDrift. If drift cards are left plain, they are more likely to be overlooked once they’ve washed up along the shorelines of Miami-Dade County. Painting eye-catching drift cards in bright colors and decorated with community-made art makes them more likely to be picked up and reported.

Vizcaya is holding a Trash Talk program on Sunday, August 26 from 11 am to 2 pm. Tickets may be purchased here.

Head over to CARTHE’s #BayDrift page to explore the data from each of the experiments. The page is updated after each drift card release, so be sure to check back regularly and to explore #BayDrift on Instagram for photos!