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See our plans for the upcoming months in this bulletin. Also please visit the District 6990 website: https://rotary6990.orgDistrict 6990 May Activities & Upcoming Plans Virtual BulletinJune 2023

TABLE OFCONTENTS3 DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE4 ENDPLASTICSOUP ACTION DAY 5 KEY LARGO ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY6 WESTON HELPED “STAMP OUT HUNGER”7 LOWER KEYS – CLEANING BIG PINE KEY 8 HELP SAVE MIAMI BLUE BUTTERFLY9 PINECREST CLUB RECYCING10 KEY WEST SUNRISE & HALLENDATE - AVENTURA11 OPERATION POLLINATION12 ADOPT-A-RIVER13 MONTHLY ACTION PLAN14 JOIN ENDPLASTIC SOUP INFO15 JOIN ESRAG INFORMATION2

Message from District Governor Michael W. KestiDear Fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors & Friends:I am writing this message from “Down Under”. I am at the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne Australia. Meeting other District Governors from around the World and hearing what they are doing is very motivating. Once I get back to South Florida, I will share with everyone the learnings that I gained. Attending a Rotary International Convention is a unique opportunity.I know that I can count on Rotarians across our District to continue their efforts. A HUGE thank you to Robert Bull for getting this special program launched in our District.Michael W. Kesti District Governor – Rotary Int’l District 69903I visited the ENDPLASTICSOUP. They have a simple but difficult goal: eliminate plastic pollution from our oceans and waterways. Their representatives were aware of our District activities in this area and I know that more Clubs in the District will join ENDPLASTICSOUP. Also visited with the United Nations Environment Programme booth. Rotary International has signed a letter of agreement with this entity. Rotary is workingon the Adopt-A-River program as outlined in this agreement. Clubs are encouraged to participate; more information is available in this bulletin.This month we have a few important World Days (World Reef Day, World Ocean Day and World Environment Day). I am proud of the Clubs in our District and how they have embraced and worked hard to address environmental issues.

ENDPLASTICSOUP's vision is to eliminate plastic pollution from our oceans, waterways, estuaries and lakes. This June 3rd, we will commemorate the 6th Worldwide ENDPLASTICSOUPAction Day. Rotarians and friends are invited to participate in the event. Students will eligible for Community Service Hours, just send me their names and the volunteer hours, I will reply with the certificate. Please note that June 1st is World Reef Day, June 5th is World Environment Day and June 8th is World Ocean Day.It's easy to participate, on Saturday (June 3rd), just help clean up our World being picking up plastic litter along our shorelines, our sidewalks, our walkways and in our parks. You can do this individually or as a group.We hope that you will participate in the Worldwide Event. Please email photos, Individuals/clubs that pick up plastic and interspersing pieces will receive a Certificate of Appreciation.Thank you for your efforts in Supporting the Environment. Robert H. BullESDAC Chair4

The Rotary Club of Key Largo joined the Adopt-A-Highway program. Look at the sign on mile marker 106. They conducted a highway cleanup on Dec. 17th, 2022, then on March 17th, 2023, and another one scheduled for June 17th, 2023.St. Nick helped them in Dec.5

6The Weston Club helped out the National Association of Letters Carriers with their Nat’l “Stamp our Hunger” food drive. Rotarians sorted the non-perishable products and recycled all the plastic and cardboard packaging.

Lower Keys Rotary w/ the Conch Republic Marine Army cleaned up Big Pine Key. Over 350 lbs. were picked up. The Club’s unofficial moto is: Small Group – Big Impact.7

Balloon vineFlorida Keys BlackbeadGray Nicker BeanHELP SAVE THIS IMPERILED BUTTERFLY FROM EXTINCTIONMiami Blue Butterfly was thought to be extinct but surviving colonies were found in the keys. We can help them expand their range by planting certain native shrubs and vines throughout our District. 8

1.) Cardboard = take to Homestead cardboard recycle 2.) Paper = take to Publix to recycle3.) Plastic = take to Publix to recycle9

==============================================================11The Key West Sunrise Club actively recycled plastic, egg carton, and paper at Publix. The also planted pollinators and bought Milkweed seeds to plant to help Monarch butterfliesHyon O’Brien picked up litter around the Miami Beach north shore post office. She does this every two week. Additionally, Hyon cleans up the beach in front of our condo in Miami Beach.

Pollinators are essential for life on Earth, but their numbers have declined by more that 40% over the past years.Operation Pollination is an inclusive framework designed to help Rotarians recruit partners to engage in pollinator education and habitat restoration. Please visit https://esrag.org/operation-pollination/ to find out how your Club and get involved. On this website you will find details to “Take the Resolution” and “Take the Pledge” to support pollinators. Rotary Int’l President, Jennifer Jones has signed this pledge and encourages all of us to participate.Clubs are encouraged to get involved and “Take the Resolution” and then “Take the Pledge”. In April, for Earth Day we would like Clubs across the District to plant pollinator shrubs.11

Rotary Int’l & Adopt-A-RiverRotary International has established a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and their Adopt-A-River campaign. 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. 12We plan to start a collaboration program with Ocean Conservancy. They are working on a NOAA-funded program for high school students and businesses to learn about reducing plastic pollution, a program called Plastic Free Cities. They have started cleaning up the Miami River. We encourage Clubs in the City of Miami to Adopt-Miami River. Other Clubs may adopt a canal or lake in their vicinity.In Broward, we would like to Adopt-New River around the working south from North Fork. Currently, there is an annual action program called, “Paddle with a Purpose”, and we can do much more than cleaning up once a year. Throughout the District there are canals, a few rivers (plus the River of Grass, the Everglades), lakes and watersheds. Just explore and in your vicinity and find a waterway to adopt.

2023 - 2024Governor Environmental Citation Award July 2023 – Int’l Day for the Conservation of Mangroves August 2023 – Nominate an Environmental Activities Chair in your Club September 2023 – World Cleanup, World Rivers, International Coastal Cleanup Day October 2023 – World Migratory Bird Day November 2023 – Reuse, recycle or donate clothes December 2023 – Avoid plastic wrapping for gifts January 2024 – District Tree Planting  February 2024 – Members join ESRAG and/or Clubs join EndPlasticSoup. World Wetlands Day, the power of the pen – write to your representatives to support the Everglades. March 2024 – World Waters Day. World Recycling Day April 2024 – Celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, Operation Pollination May 2024 - World Biodiversity Day, World Bee Day June 2024 – World Reef Day, World Environment Day and World EndPlasticSoup Action Day  Items above are suggestions. Clubs may add/implement their own ideas on any given month.13Monthly Environmental Action Plan

Please visit the EndPlasticEnd site: www.endplasticsoup.orgPlease have your Club consider joining this entity14

Please visit the ESRAG website: www.esrag.orgPlease consider joining ESRAG15