Our Story

What started as one woman's love for her community has grown into a movement that's transforming South Florida's coastline, one cleanup at a time.
 

In 2019, Miami resident Maria Jose (MJ) Algarra drew on her lifelong love of nature to create something meaningful for her community. She invited friends to join her for beachside yoga sessions followed by cleanup efforts. That first small gathering sparked something extraordinary.
 

MJ's deep connection to the natural world had always been part of who she was. Through yoga and meditation, she found a way to share that connection with others, believing that when people truly experience their environment mindfully, they naturally want to protect it. This philosophy became the heart of Clean This Beach Up.
 

What began with just a handful of volunteers has blossomed into a community of thousands. Under MJ's leadership, we've organized over 300 beach cleanups across South Florida, mobilizing more than 11,000 volunteers who've learned that small, consistent actions create lasting change.
 

Today, Clean This Beach Up continues to inspire people to love where they live and protect what they love.