Newsletter | August 2019
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Thank You to all who Joined us on August 5th!
Our Documentary, Troubled Waters, Debuted to a Sold-out Crowd
Calusa Waterkeeper’s exclusive documentary, Troubled Waters, premiered to a packed house at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. This 40-minute film features expert scientists and doctors as they explore the human health impacts of cyanotoxins and BMAA in South Florida. The event also featured an extended Q&A session with an all-star panel of expert guests – many of whom were featured in the film.
Expert Panel Q & A
If you missed our second Public Health Alert - Florida Water Summit, you can still experience the expert panel Q & A session in its entirety. Thanks to Cat Chase Media for capturing this important event on film!
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Upcoming Benefit Event this Saturday
Plus, our Second Screening of Troubled Waters
Millennial Brewing is partnering with Calusa Waterkeeper for the 2nd Annual Rally for Clean Water Fundraiser to benefit our organization and ongoing efforts.
Saturday, August 17th | 4 - 9 PM
Millennial Brewing Co. | Fort Myers
Plan to join us for an epic silent auction, food trucks, live music, great brews and a showing of our exclusive documentary: Troubled Waters! The film starts at 8:15 p.m., so be sure to arrive early and get your grub and libations before showtime.
Exclusive Offers: Bring your dog & get a free bandanna.
Plus, you can become a Calusa Waterkeeper member for just $30 (a $10 savings) and get a free t-shirt - only at this event on Saturday!
We are in search of great items for our silent auction coming up this Saturday. If you are able to assist with this need, please contact Kathy Cookman directly.
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Words from the Waterkeeper
In Episode 5 of Words from the Waterkeeper, John Cassani provides updates on current water conditions in the region and upcoming events and meetings. Watch Full Video
BONUS: John Cassani, the Calusa Waterkeeper, will be a guest speaker at the upcoming Save our Water event presented by USA TODAY Network & The News-Press on Wednesday, August 21 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. See Event Details
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Waterway Testing Results
Fecal indicator bacteria test results from August 10 of area waterways show continued Enterococci contamination in certain areas. Heavy rains and runoff are certainly playing a role.
Intense flushing from rains has decreased some bacteria sampling results for Billy’s Creek, but fecal bacteria contamination still remains an unprecedented threat to anyone recreating this waterway.
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Documentary About Algae and Public Health Debuts to Sold-out Crowd
Originally published in The News-Press & written by Amy Bennett Williams
It wasn’t billed as a horror movie, but “Troubled Waters” drew its share of gasps from a sold-out audience at its premiere. Calusa Waterkeeper’s new documentary explores last year’s disastrous water crises and the potential health consequences to those who lived through the choking red tide and blue-green algae blooms. Read Full Story
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Action Alert!
ACOE Taking Public Comment on Lake O Releases
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deviated from LORS 2008 when they released higher volumes of water in the spring to keep Lake Okeechobee levels lower to prevent releasing harmful blue-green algal blooms in the summer time to the East & West coasts.
Some say the strategy has worked while others are challenging it over fears of a man-made drought. So, the ACOE is asking for feedback from the public because it wants to operate with a more flexible schedule between now and 2022, when repairs to the Herbert Hover Dike are finished and a new Lake Okeechobee schedule (LOSOM) is completed.
Public comment period closes August 21, 2019.
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Calusa Waterkeeper In The Press
ACOE Places Algae Warning Signs at Franklin Lock
The Army Corps of Engineers posted signs warning people of potential blue-green algae at Franklin Lock. It's something Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani has been waiting years for. Read More
U.S. Sugar Files Lawsuit Against ACOE over Lake O
U.S. Sugar filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, saying the Army Corps is violating its own regulations and the National Environmental Policy Act. Read More
New Medical Code will Monitor Toxic Algae Sickness
Healthcare providers now have a new medical code to document illnesses related to red tide or blue-green algae to help quantify these health issues: Z77.121. Read More
Vibrio: Florida's Scariest Threat Claims no Lives so Far
Although Vibrio is grabbing headlines in national news stories and viral Facebook posts, there hasn’t been a single confirmed vibrio death in Florida this year, state public health officials say. Read More
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Around the Watershed
Taping a show in the WGCU/NPR studio. (Left to right) KC Schulberg, Executive Director for Calusa Waterkeeper, Dr. Paul Alan Cox, founder of the Brain Chemistry Labs & producer Michael Kiniry.
Big difference in flow to the estuary measured at S-79 (Franklin Lock) compared to last year.
Satellite imagery shows the cyanobacteria bloom on Lake Okeechobee persists and moves around the big lake.
Photos from our Press Conference that occurred ahead of the premier of Troubled Waters at Broadway Palm.
Above: an aerial of the Moore Haven lock. Below: our flight crew, from left- John Cassani, pilot Kelly Gottlieb of LightHawk Foundation, KC Schulberg and Cat Chase, CWK videographer extraordinaire.
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Save the Date:
Our Second Calusa Culture Night
Mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 23 for our second Calusa Culture Night. We will be returning to the Sydney & Berne Davis Arts Center in Fort Myers for a silent auction, live music, guest speakers and so much more!
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We'll See you this Weekend!
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CALUSA WATERKEEPER MISSION
To Protect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.
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Phone: (239) 784-0880
Pollution Hotline: (239) 444-8584
Email: [email protected]
Follow Calusa Waterkeeper!
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Calusa Waterkeeper
PO Box 1165
Fort Myers, FL 33902
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