Inspiring Change: Maddie Kaufman & Amanda DiPerna of Debris Free Oceans

In Episode 27 of Sneaker Impact News, host Bryan the Botanist sits down with local Miami environmental leaders, Maddie Kaufman and Amanda Di Perna of Debris Free Oceans (DFO). Many topics are discussed on how they are working with local and national government agencies, non-profits, businesses, and citizens to reduce waste, improve global health, fight plastic pollution, and raise awareness critical ecological and societal issues. Learn more about circular economies, how and why they started Zero Waste Miami, Plastic Free Cities, and other collaborative programs you can get involved with. Dive deep into the environmental sciences, and how Miami is one of the cities leading the way to a sustainable solution. Learn More & Stay Connected • https://debrisfreeoceans.org/• https://debrisfreeoceans.org/zero-waste-miami/• https://www.instagram.com/debrisfreeoceans/In The Media https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article293424529.html https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/local-organization-aims-to-keep-oceans-debris-free/3368556/ https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/07/03/south-florida-students-lead-the-charge-against-plastic-waste-it-is-our-job/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4A3H8663iU Maddie is the Program Director of Debris Free Oceans (DFO), a Miami-based nonprofit that empowers local communities to go zero waste so that all can have access to a healthy environment and clean oceans. Amanda is the program manager at DFO. Maddie and Amanda currently lead the Zero Waste Miami coalition, coordinating a diverse group of stakeholders working to build Miami’s circular economy, and oversees their Plastic Free Cities program, training high school students to help local businesses reduce waste. Maddie received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Miami, where she studied coral reef restoration and now teaches a Tropical Coastal Restoration course. Additionally, she is a PADI-certified Divemaster, an American Academy of Underwater Sciences scientific diver (having logged over 500 dives), sits on Florida Sea Grant’s Miami-Dade County Extension Advisory Committee, and volunteers as FWC-authorized sea turtle monitoring personnel.