Take Action
How YOU Can Help Protect and Restore Estero Bay,
its Tributaries and Regional Waterways
Support the work of Calusa Waterkeeper:
- With a financial contribution;
- Consider becoming a member of Calusa Waterkeeper or applying to be come a certified ranger;
- By visiting the Calusa Waterkeeper website and learning more about the issues;
- Report suspected evidence of harmful algal blooms or pollution violations;
Learn more about Estero Bay and regional waterways:
- Take a kayak tour of the bay, its tributaries, or to Mound Key;
- Go for a nature walk or bike ride in the parks within the watershed:
Estero Bay Preserve State Park, Koreshan State Park, Matanzas Park Preserve, Mound House, Bowditch Point, Lovers Key State Park, Barefoot Beach County Preserve, Flint Pen Strand; - Sign up and take a wading eco-tour with Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve;
- Visit your town’s website and read local newspapers and newsletters;
- Visit the comprehensive water quality data base of the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Program (CHNEP).
Act on your appreciation for our waterways:
- Become an informed clean water voter and vote for elected officials who support clean water and environmentally sound policies;
- Learn about Calusa Waterkeeper’s policy objectives and help advocate for them with your elected representatives and neighbors;
- Bring your own reusable bags when shopping at stores and farmers’ markets;
- Bag pet waste and dispose of it in the garbage;
- Take a stroll around your neighborhood and pick up garbage – even cigarette butts and plastic shards can be ingested but not digested by our winged and gilled friends;
- If you have a septic tank, have it regularly inspected and maintained;
- Go native! replace more and more of your lawn and garden with native plant species that require no fertilizer, pesticides or extra watering. Refer to University of Florida’s Florida Friendly Landscaping program for more information.
- If your landscaping requires fertilizer, use minimal amounts and adhere to all local fertilizer use ordinances;
- Recycle and reduce consumption of single-use plastics;
- Be a water detective – if you see something, say something – report algal blooms, fertilizer and landscaping violations or stormwater problems to Calusa Waterkeeper.
Lead in your community:
- Become a clean water ambassador and spread the word to your neighbors;
- Host movie or book discussions in your neighborhood or HOA on environmental issues;
- Support plans to eliminate septic systems and modernize sewage treatment;
- Encourage neighbors to replace non-native landscaping with native landscaping and planting;
- Attend and speak at neighborhood, HOA, town hall, council and agency meetings on land conservation, greenways, water management and conservation
Remember:
What you see on the land, lands in the sea… via bay… and streams… and tributaries.
We CAN make a difference in restoring the health of Estero Bay and its tributaries.
More About Local Issues
Harmful Algal Blooms
Cyanobacteria & Red Tide
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and Karenia brevis (red tide) have been making major impacts on Southwest Florida.
Lake Okeechobee Discharges
Revise System Operating Manual
The Caloosahatchee River often suffers from too much freshwater in the wet season, and not enough freshwater in the dry season.
Cape Coral Spreader Canals
Nutrient & Sediment Loading
The City of Cape Coral is working to remove large storm-water barriers to make recreational boating more convenient.
Bacteria Monitoring
Fecal Indicator Bacteria
Calusa Waterkeeper has been at the forefront of monitoring this Fort Myers tributary for fecal bacteria indicators.