Introduction

One of the nation’s biggest advocates for social and environmental justice, the BoatUS Foundation is spearheading an effort to remove abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) from our nation’s oceans, lakes and waterways. 

With the help of a four-year, 10-million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Foundation has teamed up with Mixte to launch an ambitious plan to award that grant money to all types of communities to help with their own cleanup efforts. 

That’s only the beginning.   

Mixte is partnering with BoatUS Foundation to create a national ADV database to report, track and remove these vessels, which cause harmful pollution and safety hazards. Efforts are also underway to hold a virtual conference that focuses on removing marine waste –– with an added focus on ADV’s impact in underserved communities. 

Our Objectives

To propel efforts to rid our waters of marine waste and toxic chemicals caused by ADVs in all communities, including those who may not have the funding and means to support cleanup efforts, by: 

  • Conducting research and analysis of the BoatUS Foundation brand to provide strategic insights and build a plan around media outreach and messaging for the launch of the ADV removal grant program with an emphasis on inclusion of impacted marginalized communities.
  • Securing local and national media interviews with BoatUS Foundation leadership and place prominent stories announcing the ADV removal grant, the creation of an ADV database, and a highly anticipated summit for boaters, environmentalists and community groups to network and discuss ways to keep their waterways clean and safe.  
  • Developing targeted digital marketing assets for impactful storytelling around marine conservation.

The Outcome

With an emphasis on social and environmental justice, BoatUS Foundation has become a source of hope for people wanting to take action to protect their waters. As the Foundation tackles health hazards and social injustices nationwide, Mixte is using its public relations powers to generate a tidal wave of positive media attention and spur civic engagement.  

Thanks to our aggressive outreach, dozens of individuals and groups learned about, and applied for, the grant money to remove marine waste in their communities. This massive cleanup will help protect our oceans and waterways for generations to come. Whether it’s applying for grant money, volunteering to review grant applications, helping build the ADV database or signing up for the upcoming summit, Mixte is ensuring people have the power to make a difference.