Newsletter | October 2019
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Happy International Sawfish Day!
There are five species of sawfish in the world and all are classified as critically endangered or endangered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). International Sawfish Day is an annual event held on October 17 to raise awareness of these vulnerable rays, and to highlight the threats they face, in order to safeguard their future. How will you celebrate International Sawfish Day?
The official mascot of Calusa Waterkeeper is the critically endangered Smalltooth Sawfish.
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Our Documentary Film Premieres in Naples & Miami!
Calusa Waterkeeper is grateful for our partnership with Silverspot Cinema to offer screenings of our documentary, Troubled Waters, on the west and east coast of Florida. Both showings will be followed by an expert panel that includes Dr. Paul Cox and other researchers from the film.
Silverspot Cinema - Miami
Thursday, October 24 | 7:00 pm
300 SE 3rd St, #100, Miami
Silverspot Cinema - Naples
Friday, October 25 | 7:00 pm
9118 Strada Pl, #2805, Naples
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Exclusive Calusa Waterkeeper Event:
Calusa Culture Night - Saturday, Nov. 23
We invite you to join us for our 2nd Annual Calusa Culture Night at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on Saturday, November 23, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Our guests will enjoy live entertainment, fabled storytellers, live and silent auction, artwork by Clyde Butcher and Paul Arsenault, and a Recycled Fashion Show curated by Sara Norine James and Susan Hedge – all in support of the cause of clean water.
To show our appreciation to our most valued supporters and members, we have set aside a limited number of reserved 'Commodore Tables' which include access to a pre-event, invitation-only cocktail party from 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
We are in need of items for our auctions! Please contact Kathy Cookman for more details.
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Words from the Waterkeeper
On this week's Words from the Waterkeeper, John is joined on the beach by water ranger Bradley Quandt for a SWFL fishing report on spawning snook and the resurgence of baitfish populations. John also provides the latest water readings on background levels of red tide offshore. Watch Full Video
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Last Call: Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger Academy
Thursday, Oct. 24, 5:30 - 8:00 pm & Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
The Collaboratory
2031 Jackson St, Fort Myers
Only a few seats left - Register Now!
The Ranger Academy is an educational and training resource for volunteers interested in working with the Calusa Waterkeeper. Rangers volunteer as citizen monitors of area waterways and are trained to conduct surveys and report conditions and observations of local waters. Volunteers set their own schedules and monitor in project area zones of their choice. Participants should have access to area waters by boat or paddlecraft.
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Is There Water Contamination in Florida? Public Has the Right to Know
Featured Op-Ed by John Cassani and Published by The News-Press
The growing but little-known water quality and public health problem that won’t seem to go away is that fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) contamination has become widespread in Florida and even in some of the state’s most iconic waterways. Contamination levels present a significant public health risk and have been documented well above the threshold the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) would use to close a coastal beach.
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Save the Date: The Big Calusa 2 - Calusa Palooza
Mark your calendars now for Calusa Palooza - our second annual Big Calusa celebration: Sunday, March 22, 2020 at Centennial Park in Downtown Fort Myers.
Enjoy a full day of family-friendly activities including kayak and paddleboard races culminating with an evening concert featuring the Eagles tribute band- Hotel California! We are aiming to coordinate the largest week-long cleanup in the history of Southwest Florida, beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. Stay tuned for more details!
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Help Calusa Waterkeeper through Amazon Smile
You can be a part of Calusa Waterkeeper's mission every time you shop on Amazon!
Simply select Calusa Waterkeeper as your preferred charity through Amazon Smile and a percentage of all purchases will be donated to our continuing cause.
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Water Quality Updates
Red tide counts have been on the rise along the Florida West Coast with hot spots reported in both Lee and Collier counties including confirmed marine life mortality on Naples beaches. Those with acute respiratory issues are advised to avoid beaches and other coastal areas when a karenia brevis bloom (red tide) is detected.
Enterococci bacteria (fecal indicator) hot spots are shown in red from sampling performed on 9/30. 70 MPN / 100 ml is the threshold the FDOH uses to issue a coastal beach advisory. Powell Creek and North Shore Park grossly exceed this limit with no warning signs posted.
Army Corps Releases Lake O Water to Help Caloosahatchee Estuary
A dry spell in September has prompted the Army Corps to release Lake Okeechobee water to the Caloosahatchee River again, but these discharges are expected to help the river and estuary. Read More >
High Levels of Fecal Bacteria on Pine Island Beach
A report was released about a popular beach spot on Pine Island containing high levels of fecal bacteria. The levels are so high, it’s almost nine times the health department’s threshold for beach closure. Read More >
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Around the Watershed
John Cassani, Ray Judah and CWK Ranger, Jason Pim at the ACOE LOSOM workshop meeting in Cape Coral.
Meet our next science ambassador, Bradley Quandt! As a Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger, the data he gathers helps support the research that we bring to you.
Sea of green (water lettuce) on the ponded area of Zapata Canal in Ft. Myers. The shading effect of the lettuce resulted in very low dissolved oxygen in the water.
On October 4, 1990, the creeks and rivers flowing to Estero Bay were designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. All residents of Florida should value and recognize the importance of these waters to our history, culture, environment and the economy.
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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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