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See our District plans for the upcoming months in this bulletin. Also please visit our District 6990 website: https://rotary6990.orgDistrict 6990 Environmental Upcoming Plans and ProgramsVirtual BulletinNovember 2022

TABLE OFCONTENTS3 MESSAGE FROM GOV. KESTI AND R. BULL4 VISIT TO TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY 5 DISTRICT TREE PLANTING INFORMATION 6-7 ROTARY INT’L & ADOPT-A-RIVER8 TRASHERCIZE – JOIN IN9 MONTHLY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN10 GOVERNOR CITIATION INFORMATION11 ESRAG INFORMATION12 ENDPLASTICSOUP INFORMATION

Message from District Governor Michael W. Kesti3Dear Fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors & Friends:Our new District Committee, the Environmental Committee, is moving forwardwith this initiative. I want to thank everyone for their feedback and participationin the Committee’s ZOOM meetings and activities. This bulletin will give you apeak into our future plans and there is more to come.Please ensure that your Club has appointed a member responsible toEnvironmental Activates. Also, I want to remind you that the District Governor'sCitation and other awards include environmental programs. Please see detailsin this bulletin and also in the District’s bulletin that was distributed in October.I look forward for all of your continued support.Michael W. KestiDistrict Governor - Rotary International District 6990==========================================Dear Fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors & Friends:This bulletin highlights our upcoming activities. During October we recommended observing World Migratory BirdDay, when billions of birds in the Northern Hemisphere migrate to warmer climates. Shortly we will visit the Tropical Audubon Society as part of this program.Looking ahead, we are planning the District’s tree planting program. We need the Clubs in Broward and Monroe counties, and Northern Bahamas to identify tree planting opportunities with their local authorities. We will are be evaluating how our District will participate with the Adopt-A-River program. Details of this project and other concepts are in this bulletin.Your comments and feedback are appreciated,Sincerely,Robert H. Bull ESDAC - Chair

Tropical Audubon Society Visit Saturday, Nov. 10th@ 10:00 AM4Please join in a project at the Tropical Audubon Society. This visit will include an environmental cleanup, private tour (just for our Rotary group) of their historic facility with a lecture to include information on migratory birds and invasive plant species, followed up with a fellowship opportunity, if you choose, at a Sports Bar across the street from the Tropical Audubon Society.We are limited to a total of about twenty visitors, so we need RSVP's right away. Please email rhbull.rotary@gmail.com. This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY activity and students will receive Community Services Hours. Kindly let me know if your children/grandchildren, spouse or friends will be attendingTropical Audubon Society is located at 5530 Sunset Drive near South Miami. Please plan on arriving at 10:00.I will send detailed parking instructions and other information to those who RSVP. This will be a fun, family friendly environmental/educational program.4

DISTRICT TREE PLANTING WILL BE IN JAN/FEB 2023We have identified two locations in Miami-Dade through Million Trees Miami. We need local assistance for Broward, Monroe and & Grand Bahamas. In Miami-Dade, the county will provide support, in these other areas it’s up to the local municipalities. Please reach out to your officials. Exact dates for Miami-Dade are yet to be established. Arbor Day in the south of the USA is Jan. 20thand TuB’Shevat, the Jewish New Year of the trees, is on Feb. 5/6 The two locations in Miami-Dade are Coral Estates Park (1405 SW 97thAve.) , and Pelican Island Maritime Hammock. Pelican Island is assessable by a free county catamaran which departs from 1275 NE 79thSt. We will plant trees in Coral Estate Park and pollinator shrubs in Pelican Island. Million Trees Miami charges $10/each. Clubs need to contact me to confirm their participation and amount of trees. I would recommend selling tree dedications to cover the expense. We have successfully used biodegradable hearts in the past to dedicate trees.5

Rotary Int’l & Adopt-A-RiverRotary International has established a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and their Adopt-A-River campaign. Please watch the video below with RI President, Jennifer Jones.Adopt-A-River is not just about Rivers. It also includes lakes, reservoirs, groundwater, wetlands, estuaries and canals.Clubs (individually or collectively with other Clubs) are encouraged to “Adopt” a section of your local waterways. Our waterways end up in the ocean. Just a few days ago there was another “fish kill” in Biscayne Bay. Basically inland pollution is being released into Biscayne Bay creating “dead zones”. We can help address this issue.6

Rotary Int’l & Adopt-A-River (con’t)How Does Adopt-A-River work?• It’s Club Driven but needs to be Community Focused• It’s a long term commitment but with many short term projects• Internal Club support and it’s important to create local partnerships.• The Club Benefits are: Member engagement, Community outreach and youth development• Engagement is built by creating awareness, site specific efforts, community efforts• Establishing partnerships at a District and Club level with local authorities and NGO’s• Activities include: River, canal, watershed, lake cleanups. Riverbank watershed restoration• and addressing polluters. The video below highlights the importance of Adopt-A-River. We need to be carefu7Everything in our rivers and canals ends up in our lakes and oceans.

TRASHERCIZETRASHERCIZE is a very simple concept that can accomplish a lot. Just go for a walk and pick up trash at the same time. Try going for a morning walk. The best side benefit is that you might lose some weight. All you need is a “grabber and a trash bag. Please see the photo below: One of my neighbors and fellow Rotarian was surprised at how much litter was on our streets.Join our Trashercize team. In addition to cleaning up the area, you might also lose weight.8

Monthly Environmental Action Plan 2022 - 2023Governor Environmental Citation Award➢ July 2022 – Reduce single use plastic items at home and in meetings➢ August 2022 – Nominate an Environmental Activities Chair in your Club, may be part of Community Services➢ September 2022 – World Cleanup, World Rivers, Int’l Coastal Cleanup Day➢ October 2022 – World Migratory Bird Day➢ November 2022 – Reuse, recycle or donate clothes➢ December 2022 – Avoid plastic wrapping for gifts➢ January 2023 – Members join ESRAG and/or Clubs join EndPlasticSoup.➢ February 2023 – District Tree Planting➢ March 2023 – World Waters Day➢ April 2023 – Celebrate Earth Day➢ May 2023 - “Feed the Bee”, plant pollinator trees/plants/flowers➢ June 2023 – World EndPlasticSoup Action Day ➢ Items above are suggestions, Clubs may add/implement their own ideas on any given month.❖ Participate in at least 3 of the 12 challenges during the year to achieve the Governor’s Citation; if a Club accomplishes 6 or more, will receive a Governor’s Environmental Citation.9

Overview of Governor Kesti’s CitationsGovernor Citation:• Clubs must have Representatives in: ESDAC, Empower the Girl, End Polio Now, DEI Committees• Complete 3 out of 12 ESDAC Challenges• Other requirements to followSpecial Governor Environmental Citation• Complete 6 or more ESDAC Challenges Governor’s Environmental Award• Club that completes the most Challenge Please note that the Challenges in Monthly Environmental Action Plan are suggestions. Club may implement their own environmental actions on any month.10

Please visit the ESRAG website: www.esrag.orgPlease consider joining ESRAG11

Please visit the EndPlasticEnd site: www.endplasticsoup.orgPlease have your Club consider joining this entity26