đź“· Photo provided by Shley Suarez-Burgos
Hi, Shley! Who are you? What do you do?
I’m the Program Coordinator for Latino Outdoors Miami. We create free monthly outdoor events for nuestro comunidad and advocate for important environmental and coastal issues. You can catch us swamp walking through Big Cypress National Preserve, star gazing in the Everglades, watching nature films in the library, and creating many seasonal-based events for all ages.
What neighborhood(s) are you reppin’?
All of Miami-Dade County!
What brings you most alive about the 305?
Our holy trinity (Uncle Luke, Trina, and Trick Daddy) and being encrusted in the salt of Biscayne Bay. Seeing multi-generations get down at Calle Ocho Carnival, a family pachanga, or in their favorite park.
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
Playing mermaids at the beach while eating mangoes during summer break.
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The jerk jackfruit, maiye, and pinte with extra pickliz from Naomi’s Garden.
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Miami day.
Crandon Park beach, Flamingo Plaza for thrifting, and 7 Seas for karaoke.
What’s your favorite local social media account to follow and why?
@miamifreedomproject for keeping our government in check and sharing rad events around town and @love_the_everglades for their incredible work for the Everglades.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
The only sucia that should be in the water is me. (Meaning, pick up the trash you find wherever you’re at, even if it’s not yours.)
How does Miami help you do what you do or influence your work?
I call it the “a-ha” moment.
It’s when a kid or abuelito — literally anyone — their eyes get big, their mouth widens, and you feel the joy burst out of them. It’s their special connection happening right now. It can come from seeing wildlife, creating art outside, watching a sunset, conquering a fear of snakes. Whatever triggers that “a-ha” moment, that’s what influences the work I do.
If there was one thing you could change, address, etc. about Miami, what would it be?
Better protections for our Bay, the Everglades, pine rocklands, and all other super special flora and fauna — especially protecting them from development and pollution.
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
Getting more folks involved in exploring and advocating for our unique habitats.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know. Know someone who ought to be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Reach out by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line “TNT Locals to Know 2024.” If chosen, you might just see yourself or a friend in a future newsletter.