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Newsletter - December 2021
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to all who stepped up to show their support for clean water on Giving Tuesday! It was our best yet!
Your generosity is what enables us to fight to protect and restore the waters of Southwest Florida, the waters that we all love, and to advocate to ensure their health for generations to come.
Giving Tuesday may be behind us, but the work continues. If you have not yet made a tax-deductible contribution for 2021, we encourage you to do so now. Your gifts can help protect the water that brings our families and friends together all year long. Your contributions will help us build strength to fight for drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water in Southwest Florida.
Your partners at Calusa Waterkeeper,
Calusa Waterkeeper Board of Directors
Waterkeeper, John Cassani
Executive Director, Trisha Botty
Administrative Coordinator, Cindy Swisher
Share your giving spirit on social media by posting your favorite SWFL waterscape with the hashtag #ILoveSWFLWater and tagging @calusawaterkeeper
Spend an evening with the Calusa Waterkeeper team. Discuss important water quality issues and initiatives, including Right to Know legislation, with Waterkeeper John Cassani, Executive Director, Trisha Botty, board members and our amazing volunteer Rangers.
Sip on wine and craft beer from Fort Myers' Millennial Brewery while enjoying music by local artist, Nash Williams, and view our new documentary, WATERBORNE.
Your $100 ticket includes a limited-edition commemorative glass and an opportunity to bid on one of a kind artwork by local artists.
Hurry, tickets are limited!
You will not want to miss this event!
All proceeds will be used to support Calusa Waterkeeper's efforts to fight for drinkable, fishable and swimmable water.
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Support the Safe Waterways Act to Provide Broader and Consistent Public Notification of Fecal Contaminated Waterways
Nearly one million acres of coastal estuaries and nine thousand miles of Florida’s streams and rivers are verified impaired for fecal bacteria. However, no state requirement exists to consistently inform the public of this threat to their health. The recently filed bills SB 604 and HB 393, termed the Safe Waterways Act, aims to solve this problem. The legislation will require county health departments to post and maintain warning signs at additional public bathing places that have been verified impaired for fecal pollution. Signage would be present until the waterbody meets state water quality standards, which would provide additional incentive to speed up restoration efforts.
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In the News
Conservancy’s Case Against Rivergrass Village Moves Forward with Outside Support
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has filed documents supporting its appeal to overturn a court decision rejecting the group’s challenge to the development of Rivergrass, a village in eastern Collier County. Over a dozen other groups have filed briefs in support of the Conservancy. Learn More
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River & Coastal Conditions Looking Better this Fall
Caloosahatchee flows are looking good at a time when health indicators seem promising as the region transitions into the dry season. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing just over 2,000 cubic feet per second at the W.P. Franklin Lock. Continue Reading
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Health Alert Issued in Fort Myers for Blue-Green Algae Outbreak in Caloosahatchee
The Florida Department of Health has issued a health alert after finding harmful blue-green algae toxins in the Caloosahatchee River at the Davis Boat Ramp in Fort Myers Shores. The health alert results from a Dec. 1 sample taken from the water in that area. Watch Now
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Manatees Flock to Warmer Waters During Cool Spells
As the temperature in Southwest Florida drops, visitors head to Lee County’s Manatee Park in hopes of running into sea cows. The mammals migrate toward warm waters during the cool months, which makes the refuge of Manatee Park a good herding spot. See Why
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New Membership Policy
Effective December 1, 2021
A contribution of $50 or more within the last year maintains your recognition as a Calusa Waterkeeper member in good standing. Please also note that in order to simplify our data management, we will no longer offer “family” memberships. In the future, couples and family members will need to renew as individual members. Members who joined us in the past at student, individual or family membership rates, will be grandfathered in during a 12 month transition period from their last renewal date. See what your membership includes.
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Around the Watershed
Small cyanobacteria bloom in a Caloosahatchee River canal 12-5-21. This is the second bloom detected in Fort Myers Shores over a one week period.
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Guest opinion: The Conservancy of SWFL: "The Rivergrass appeal is about much more than just Rivergrass. The public’s ability to challenge irresponsible development could be eviscerated throughout much of Florida if the lower court’s incorrect ruling is upheld."
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Harmful algae blooms on the agenda for next Florida Blue-Green Algae Task Force meeting. Public notification of the health threat from cyanotoxins is still problematic. A big part of the problem is that county health units often rely on local politicians to make decisions about notifications.
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CWK sampling results for fecal bacteria (enterococci) in area waters. 70 MPN and above represents the threshold for poor conditions that could cause closure to swimming. Thanks to our CWK Ranger volunteers who did the sampling and assisted with the lab analysis.
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Happy Holidays from Calusa Waterkeeper!
Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday and a happy new year!
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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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FOLLOW CALUSA WATERKEEPER
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Phone: (941) 479-2560
Pollution Hotline: (239) 444-8584
Email: [email protected]
Calusa Waterkeeper
PO Box 1165
Fort Myers, FL 33902
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