Realtors and volunteers across Florida are taking action this July to restore the state's beaches, lakes and waterways through the Florida Realtors Clean Up Florida Waters program.

The 2025 Clean Up Florida Waters events covered 239 miles and drew nearly 2,050 participants.

"Realtors understand that Florida's scenic beaches and waterways draw many residents and visitors to the Sunshine State," said 2026 Florida Realtors President Chuck Bonfiglio Jr., broker-owner of AAA Realty Group in Plantation. "Last year's initiative saw roughly 2,050 volunteers join 134 local cleanup events throughout Florida. They dedicated 717 hours to clearing debris from 239 miles of waterways and collected nearly 16 tons of trash, equal in weight to six full-size school buses."

Unexpected finds often surface during these events. Recent cleanups revealed items such as a freezer, street signs, a box of rolled quarters and a sealed bottle of sake.

Now in its sixth year, the statewide effort urges Realtors and residents to organize local events that target trash removal from lakes, rivers, streams, retention ponds, bays, the Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.

Local groups are invited to collaborate with established environmental organizations including the Coastal Conservation Association, its Florida chapters, state Waterkeepers groups, Captains for Clean Water and Keep Florida Beautiful.

Florida Realtors serves as a Keep Florida Beautiful Gold Sun Level partner, enabling local affiliates to team up with Realtor associations on waterway cleanup projects.

Stellar MLS acts as the primary sponsor of the Clean Up Florida Waters program, with additional support from Coast 2 Coast MLS Data Share and Coastal Conservation Association Florida. Florida Realtors is The Voice for Real Estate in Florida, delivering programs, services, education, research and legislative advocacy to 238,000 members across 47 boards and associations.

SOURCE Florida Realtors