El evento interactivo y gratuito incluirá presentaciones, talleres, excursiones, un festival de cine y mucho más, además de programación en español en el Miccosukee Casino & Resort

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

Miami, Florida – 10 de septiembre de 2026 –  El Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium (MASS) es un evento colaborativo que se celebra cada dos años y que reúne a la Tribu Miccosukee de Indios de Florida y a Love The Everglades Movement (LTEM), una organización artística y de conservación con sede en el sur de Florida. El encuentro reúne a diversas comunidades para abordar las preocupaciones ambientales a través de cuatro formas de entender el mundo: Ciencia, Arte, Comunidad y Acción. Esta será la segunda edición del evento bienal.

MASS ofrecerá una variada programación de charlas, talleres, excursiones y actividades creativas. Voces indígenas, científicos, artistas, responsables de políticas públicas y otros miembros de la comunidad se darán cita en el Miccosukee Casino & Resort, ubicado en 500 Southwest 177th Avenue, Miami, FL 33194, el viernes 2 de octubre de 2026, a partir de las 9 a.m.

El simposio abordará los principales desafíos ambientales que enfrentan los Everglades —el emblemático “Río de Hierba”— y ofrecerá una variedad de actividades que promueven la participación y el intercambio de ideas desde una perspectiva integral y multidisciplinaria. La entrada es gratuita con inscripción previa en MASS2026.eventbrite.com.

“Me entusiasma mucho que MASS incluya sesiones interactivas sobre la ciencia de los Everglades que pondrán de relieve la importante colaboración entre la Tribu Miccosukee y Florida International University (FIU)”, dijo Kevin Cunniff, director de Sostenibilidad de la Tribu Miccosukee de Indios de Florida. “Estas sesiones estarán diseñadas para que los asistentes puedan trabajar directamente en grupos pequeños con los presentadores, aportar sus ideas y contribuir a generar resultados que enriquezcan la experiencia de aprendizaje de todos.”

La Tribu Miccosukee y FIU estarán a cargo de las actividades del área de Ciencia, mientras que LTEM ha creado un comité asesor encargado de organizar las actividades de Arte y Comunidad. MASS pone especial énfasis en la participación comunitaria. Entre las actividades programadas se encuentran:

• Charlas con artistas tradicionales y contemporáneos de la Tribu Miccosukee y la Tribu Seminole sobre sus procesos y prácticas artísticas.
• Presentaciones breves de científicos de los Everglades de FIU sobre cómo compartir ideas, desarrollar conocimiento científico y generar confianza.
• Talleres a cargo de organizaciones artísticas como el Miami Artist Census.
• Conversaciones sobre economías alternativas con organizaciones artísticas locales e internacionales.
• Excursiones en grupos pequeños, incluida una caminata por la naturaleza con conservacionistas Miccosukee y un recorrido por una exposición de arte junto a la artista Christina Pettersson.
• Proyección del documental Edge of Hope, seguida de una conversación entre su director, Dudley Alexis, y la educadora Miccosukee Betty Osceola.
• Fiesta de baile.
• Desfile de moda.
• Sesiones de presentación de investigaciones mediante pósteres.

John Kominoski, profesor de FIU en el Instituto del Medio Ambiente y el Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, señaló: “Este encuentro les permitirá conocer a toda una comunidad de artistas, científicos y defensores de los Everglades provenientes de distintos ámbitos, pero unidos por el compromiso de comprender, proteger y celebrar nuestros Everglades. No se pierdan esta oportunidad.”

“MASS26 es el tipo de evento que se disfruta aún más cuando vienes acompañado de amigos. Tendremos varias sesiones ocurriendo simultáneamente,” dijo Houston R. Cypress, del Clan Otter y cofundador de LTEM. “La idea es que las personas puedan dividirse, tomar notas y luego reunirse durante los descansos para compartir lo que aprendieron. Habrá mucho de eso.

“Por eso nuestro tema es Everglades Polyphony (Polifonía de los Everglades). La polifonía significa ‘muchas voces’ y, en la música, se refiere a varias melodías que se interpretan al mismo tiempo. Tendremos sesiones completamente en español y traducción simultánea en vivo para quienes quieran participar en actividades fuera de su zona de confort.”

Como plataforma interactiva para la participación comunitaria, MASS busca fortalecer los vínculos entre quienes ya trabajan por la protección de los Everglades y quienes están comenzando a involucrarse. El objetivo es promover un diálogo más efectivo y brindar apoyo práctico a los proyectos, grupos e individuos que trabajan para proteger los Everglades y sus recursos naturales.

MASS reconoce que algunas de las situaciones que enfrentan los Everglades son urgentes y requieren atención inmediata. Por ello, la unidad, la colaboración y el sentido de comunidad son fundamentales. Al combinar el arte y la ciencia con mensajes positivos, MASS busca dar visibilidad y apoyo a quienes están impulsando cambios y defendiendo tanto los Everglades como nuestro planeta.

Los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer investigaciones de FIU, datos del Miami Artist Census y otros proyectos relacionados con el arte y la ciencia para identificar tendencias y explorar cómo esta información puede contribuir a los esfuerzos de planificación comunitaria.

Tanto LTEM como la Tribu Miccosukee han participado en un amplio programa de compostaje que incluye la recolección comunitaria de residuos de alimentos y su posterior transformación en suelo para el Huerto Comunitario Miccosukee. Uno de los resultados concretos de MASS 2026 será identificar las prioridades que la comunidad debe abordar, recopilar y sintetizar esas ideas e incorporarlas en un informe final.

La comunidad contribuyó directamente a definir la agenda del evento mediante la presentación de solicitudes y propuestas a través de un formulario en línea. El evento también invita a la comunidad a participar mediante patrocinios, oportunidades de voluntariado y acciones de carácter espiritual.

Todos los fondos recaudados durante el evento beneficiarán al Miccosukee Education Fund, que ayuda a cubrir la compra de útiles escolares y equipos, así como los costos de matrícula de estudiantes Miccosukee.

Habrá sesiones específicamente dedicadas a ofrecer presentaciones y actividades en español, mientras que las demás sesiones contarán con servicios de interpretación. Los servicios de interpretación estarán a cargo de MARB Language Services.

Para obtener más información sobre oportunidades de patrocinio, voluntariado y acciones espirituales, visite MASS2026.eventbrite.com.

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CONTACTO PARA MEDIOS

Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

ACERCA DE LOVE THE EVERGLADES MOVEMENT

Love The Everglades Movement es una organización multidisciplinaria, sin fines de lucro y conformada por voluntarios, que reúne a artistas, activistas, educadores, líderes religiosos, empresas y profesionales de los medios de comunicación. Además de organizar eventos, LTEM desarrolla proyectos artísticos relacionados con los Everglades y lleva a cabo jornadas de limpieza, conciertos, actividades de recaudación de fondos, talleres, caminatas de oración y excursiones.

ACERCA DE LA TRIBU MICCOSUKEE DE INDIOS DE FLORIDA

La Tribu Miccosukee de Indios de Florida (la Tribu) es una tribu indígena soberana reconocida a nivel federal que proporciona una amplia gama de servicios gubernamentales y de apoyo a su comunidad tribal.

Entre los servicios gubernamentales de la Tribu se encuentra la Miccosukee Environmental Protection Agency, que lleva a cabo investigaciones científicas, labores de monitoreo y evaluaciones en casi 1.3 millones de acres de tierras tribales.

La Tribu desempeña un papel fundamental como parte interesada y líder en la gestión y restauración de los Everglades. A través de sus conocimientos y experiencia, y en colaboración con socios federales, estatales y locales, la Tribu trabaja para garantizar la protección de los recursos naturales que son esenciales para la vida, la cultura y el bienestar de la comunidad tribal.

Free interactive event includes presentations, workshops, field trips, film festival, and more, including Spanish-language programming at the Miccosukee Casino and Resort

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miami, FL – September 10, 2026 – The Miccosukee Arts & Science Symposium (MASS) is a biennial collaborative event between the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the South-Florida based arts and conservation organization, Love The Everglades Movement (LTEM), bringing communities together to articulate eco concerns by using four ways of understanding the world: Science, Art, Community, and Action. This is the second edition of the biennial event.

MASS is a series of talks, workshops, field trips, and creative shenanigans. Indigenous voices, scientists, artists, policymakers, and other community members will converge at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort (500 Southwest 177th Avenue, Miami, FL 33194) on Friday, October 2, 2026, beginning at 9 a.m. MASS focuses on environmental issues facing the River of Grass and includes a variety of revitalizing events, integrating a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Attendance is free with RSVP to MASS2026.eventbrite.com.

“I am very excited that MASS will feature interactive Everglades science sessions that will highlight the important collaborative partnership between the Miccosukee Tribe and Florida International University (FIU),” said Kevin Cunniff, Chief Sustainability Officer for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. “These interactive sessions will be structured to give MASS attendees opportunities to directly work in smaller groups with presenters, provide input, and bring forth products that will enhance the learning experience for all.”

The Miccosukee Tribe and FIU are organizing the Science tracks, and LTEM has created a committee of advisors to organize the Art and Community tracks. MASS prioritizes community interactions and featured activities will include:

• Artist talks with traditional and contemporary artists from the Miccosukee Tribe and the Seminole Tribe about their art practices
• Lightning talks on Sharing Ideas, Building Science, and Creating Trust from FIU’s Everglades scientists
• Workshops from arts organizations like the Miami Artist Census
• Discussions about Alternative Economies with local and international arts organizations
• Small group field trips include a nature hike with Miccosukee conservationists, and an art exhibit walk-thru with artist Christina Pettersson
• Film screening of documentary Edge of Hope, followed by a discussion between Director Dudley Alexis and Miccosukee Educator Betty Osceola
• Dance party
• Fashion show
• Poster sessions with researchers

John Kominoski, FIU Professor from the Institute of Environment & Department of Biological Sciences offered: “this meeting will introduce you to a whole community of artists, scientists, and advocates that represent different backgrounds, but whom all share a commitment to better understanding, protecting, and celebrating our Everglades. Don’t miss this opportunity.”

“MASS26 is the kind of event where it’s even better if you bring some friends along. It’s because we have multiple sessions going on at the same time,” said Houston R. Cypress, Otter Clan, co-founder of LTEM. “So, you split up, take notes, and come back and share with each other during the breaks. There’s going to be lots of that going on. 

“That’s why our theme is Everglades Polyphony. Polyphony means ‘many voices’ and it shows up sometimes in music as multiple melodies at the same time. There’s going to be sessions completely in Spanish and live translation available for folks who want to go outside their comfort zone.”

With MASS as an interactive platform for community engagement, the focus is on fostering stronger relations between those who care about the Everglades with those who are new to getting involved. The goal is to bolster effective dialogue as well as hands on support for projects, groups, and individuals who are working to protect the Everglades and the natural resources. MASS recognizes that certain situations and conditions are dire and need immediate attention, so unity with camaraderie is essential. By mixing the arts and science with positive messaging, MASS uplifts the changemakers who embrace our plant and planet partners.

The attendees will engage with FIU research, data from the Miami Artist Census, and other art and science projects to identify trends and how this information can be used to help community planning efforts. Both LTEM and The Tribe have been involved in a broad composting program that features public collection of food materials and their eventual return to the land as soil for the Miccosukee Community Garden. One of the actionable outcomes of MASS 2026 is to identify items for the community to address, synthesize them, and integrate everything into a final report.

The public shaped the agenda by submitting requests or proposals through an online form, and event welcomes community support through sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and spiritual action. All fundraising at this event will benefit the Miccosukee Education Fund, which supports school supplies, equipment purchases, and tuition costs for Miccosukee students.

There will be dedicated sessions offering presentations and activities in Spanish, and all other sessions will offer interpretation. Language interpretation services to be provided by MARB Language Services.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, and spiritual actions, please visit MASS2026.eventbrite.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

ABOUT LOVE THE EVERGLADES MOVEMENT

Love The Everglades Movement is a multi-disciplinary, volunteer, nonprofit organization comprised of artists, activists, teachers, clergy, businesses, and media members. In addition to hosting events, LTEM organizes Everglades art projects, cleanups, concerts, fundraisers, workshops, prayer walks, and excursions.

ABOUT THE MICCOSUKEE TRIBE OF INDIANS OF FLORIDA

The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida (Tribe) is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian Tribe that provides a full suite of governmental and support services to the Tribal Community.

Among the government services is the Miccosukee Environmental Protection Agency that conducts scientific research, monitoring, and assessment across nearly 1.3 million acres of Tribal Lands.

The Tribe is a primary stakeholder and leader in Everglades management and restoration, bringing knowledge and expertise in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners, to ensure protection of resources critical to Tribal vitality and culture.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Historic route once heavily populated by indigenous and non-indigenous families; walk seeks to educate and uphold agreements made during creation of the Big Cypress Preserve

Ochopee, FL – November 22, 2019 – Betty Osceola and Rev. Houston R. Cypress are two well-known Everglades educators / conservationists. They are now leading the charge to protect the Big Cypress National Preserve and the rights of the indigenous and non-indigenous families who live among it, organizing a prayer walk along the historic Loop Road (50940 Loop Road, Ochopee, FL 34141), which sits just off the Tamiami Trail, closer to the west side of the trans-Everglades part US Highway 41. The walk commences on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 8 a.m. and will last through the evening of Sunday, December 8, 2019.

“Even though the federal government, thru the Army Corps of Engineers, has abandoned this WERP project, the potential for a federal land grab is still a part of any future restoration actions even if the WERP projects are picked up by the State of Florida,” says Cypress, co-founder of the Love The Everglades Movement. “It’s also an environmental travesty that the federal government would walk away from an important Everglades Restoration project without clarifying serious land concerns.”

In addition to prayer, the goals are to educate and call attention to the plight of indigenous families and non-indigenous landholders who may be at risk to lose their lands in the Big Cypress Preserve as a result of the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP). Walkers will be able to camp overnight, and an evening chat led by the participants is set to happen Saturday evening.

Those camping are encouraged to arrive and check in on Friday, December 6. The entrance for campers and walkers will be clearly marked ahead of the event. The group is seeking volunteers to help set up and check participants in. For those planning to camp overnight and walk one day only on Sunday, check in begins Saturday December 7 at noon. This is an alcohol / drug free, family-friendly event.

Cypress adds: “There’s still discussions going on between all the stakeholders — the feds, the state, the tribes, and landowners — about restoring Big Cypress / WERP, but the fear of a federal land grab still hasn’t been alleviated and that’s why we’re bringing attention to this matter.”

The pair believes that the healing of the environment doesn’t require the removal of indigenous people from their lands nor requires violations of agreements made to them in the beginning of the creation of the Big Cypress Preserve. Their Facebook event page states: “As we pray over the landscape we will also pray for the protection of indigenous communities and their rights to exist in their ancestral homelands and also advocate for honoring the congressional agreements made to our non-indigenous neighbors who will also be impacted.”

As the two did during a prayer walk of Lake Okeechobee earlier this year, each morning the prayers will be webcast on Facebook Live in an attempt to envelop and embrace Mother Earth in a global healing prayer. Supporters who cannot join the walk are encouraged to tune in.

For more information, visit www.LoveTheEverglades.org. 

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MEDIA CONTACT

Rev. Houston R. Cypress
lovetheeverglades@gmail.com
786-897-4582

MEDIA ALERT

Love the Everglades Movement to host the 4th Annual Everglades Symposium and Cleanup in October

Miami, FL – August 15, 2017 – The South-Florida based conservation and activism group Love the Everglades Movement is hosting their 4th Annual Everglades Symposium including a series of talks, lectures, and workshops by local industry leaders, elected officials and candidates running for office, indigenous voices, and other officials October 7, 8 and 15. The events will focus on citizen empowerment and include divergent perspectives on science, policy, activism, and arts and spirituality. The symposium will include information booths from a diverse selection of community organizations, and the booths are free for community organizations. They will be prioritized by actionable items of environmental concerns.

Topics covered will include “Indigenous Sovereignty and Land Use”, “Impacts of Phosphate Mining in Central Florida”, “The Urban Development Boundary in South Florida”, “The health of Biscayne Bay”, and much more.There will also be live music. Attendance is free but registration is required because space is limited. Lunch will be provided by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to registered attendants.

Who: the Love the Everglades Movement

What: 4th Annual Everglades Symposium and Cleanup

When: Saturday, October 7, Sunday October 8, and Sunday, October 15, 2017

Where: 

Day 1 – Symposium at Miccosukee Resort & Convention Center, 500 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33194

Day 2 – Workshops at Florida International University Modesto Maidique campus, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199

Day 3 – Everglades clean-up on the Tamiami Trail

More information: www.lovetheeverglades.org/symposium-2017.html 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
info@mutcomm.com
786.426.2277

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Love the Everglades Movement Summer Symposium Scheduled for August 6, 7 and 14

Save the dates for two weekends of speakers, presentations, workshops, activism, entertainment and more, plus a special environmental cleanup effort

Who: Love the Everglades Movement, a volunteer organization dedicated to implement evolving strategies across the full spectrum of being which address the environmental, structural, cultural and spiritual problems plaguing the Florida Everglades by raising awareness and organizing positive community engagement at the local, regional, national and global levels.

What: The 3rd annual Love the Everglades Movement Summer Symposium‘s focus will be Everglades ecology, spirituality, activist reports on environmental crises, theology, art, and activism. It will feature guest speakers including Florida State Senator Dwight Bullard, Florida State Representative Mark S. Pafford, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, author Thomas E. Lodge and others, physical and digital art displays, workshops, live entertainment, and more.

Free table space is available to community organizations; sponsorship packages are available. Event is free and open to the public; all ages welcome. The group is organizing a cleanup effort – details T.B.A. The annual benefit concert will take place at Gramps in Wynwood in September – more information coming soon.

When: Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7 and 14, 2016.

Where: August 6 – Miccosukee Resort & Convention Center, 500 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33194; August 7 – Florida International University’s Modesto Maidique Campus, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199; August 14 – TBA.

Why: Because the time is right for “Giving Back to the Everglades” (this year’s theme).

More information: www.lovetheeverglades.org.

MEDIA & SPONSORSHIP CONTACT
Michael Mut
Mut Communications
info@mutcomm.com
786.426.2277