Hard Rock Stadium is situated between two of the nation’s most valuable ecosystems: the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades.
On February 2, 2020, Miami brought that famous 3-0-5 heat to Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium, conveniently situated between two of the world’s most valuable ecosystems: the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades.
In partnership with The Everglades Foundation and The Ocean Conservancy, the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee took full advantage of south Florida’s international stage and launched Ocean to Everglades (O2E), an environmental and educational movement set out to raise awareness through the Super Bowl lens.
The initiative kicked off on Earth Day 2019, and together, the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, The Everglades Foundation and Ocean Conservancy have spent the last ten months raising awareness for south Florida’s unique and vital ecosystems with events throughout the community, including an O2E kick-off party at Brightline’s Virgin Miami Central station on October 3, 2019, a Celebration of Champions on December 6, 2019 celebrating the 72nd birthday of Everglades National Park with members of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team, and more.
A stationary airboat and panoramic view of the Everglades made for a fantastic photo booth that drew in a large crowd. Pictured here is Representative Donna Shalala with Foundation staff members.
Each event, more energetic than the last, quickly garnered media attention, while building hype for the biggest event yet – the weeklong Super Bowl LIVE extravaganza, and more specifically, it’s environmental village, that took place between January 25 – February 1, 2020 in Bayfront Park.
Throughout the week, The Everglades Foundation welcomed hundreds of visitors, all of whom had the opportunity to speak with the Foundation’s scientists, staff and FIU graduate students, and enjoyed an immersive experience, complete with a stationary airboat and panoramic photo backdrop, a VR exploration of the Everglades, generously provided by FIU, and a 10-minute documentary that succinctly explained the history of the Everglades, and the threats that it faces every day.
Visitors included Representative Donna Shalala, Mr. Recyclable, and The Weather Channel, amongst many others.
To learn more about 02E, visit: www.evergladesfoundation.org/O2E
The Everglades Foundation tent at Super Bowl LIVE
The Everglades Foundation put together a brief, 10-minute documentary, that explains the history of Everglades degradation and the importance of restoration.
FIU’s virtual reality experience takes you into the depths of the Everglades.