Meet Caleb Merendino | Environmental Non-Profit, Co-Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caleb Merendino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caleb, how do you define success?
At Waterway Advocates, our goal is to foster meaningful community service and learning experiences for all community members. To achieve this, we plan our programs with the individual in mind. Success is measured by the positive environmental impact we can make, but also by the community members we can connect with to create that meaningful change. We guide our volunteers, staff members, and communities to discover themselves through nature and environmental activism while embracing differences in their peers. Only by inspiring individuals can we spark community movements for the betterment of our ecosystems.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In 2020 (at the peak of the COVID pandemic) I was one of the founders of Waterway Advocates. At first, the organization was focused on addressing massive amounts of litter through volunteer and community events. What set us apart from others had been that we put a focus on the small litter items (caps, cigarette butts) opposed to the typical focus on larger items (bottles, cans).

Now, Waterway Advocates is celebrating year three! Our programs have expanded immensely, and we take a holistic approach to environmental action in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. We believe climate change should be accessible to everyone and are in local communities planting pollination stations/gardens and working on various other beautification projects.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hands down (you probably already guessed it!) we are going straight to beach. Not just any beach, though…beach camping! Hikes, kayak adventures, and anything outdoors have a special place in my heart, and I love to share those experiences with others.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was first inspired around 7th grade, when I launched a school recycling club with my social studies educator. From there, I began to watch documentaries and educate myself on the issue of recycling profitability, accessibility, and overall waste management. At a young age, I started writing thousands of legislators across the Nation to advocate for an increase in common sense sustainability.

Website: https://www.waterwayadvocates.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/waterwayadvocates

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/waterwayadvocates

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FLWaterways

Facebook: https://facebook.com/waterwayadvocates

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/waterway-advocates-fort-lauderdale?osq=waterway+advocates

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXB1SiRBA0_v6KOaRqAPHg

Image Credits
Waterway Advocates