Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Lee County’s Development Plans: Whose Interests Are Being Served?
Written by Mary Kay Robbins-Kralapp, a Calusa Waterkeeper Board Member and liaison to the Lee Communities Coalition. On October 21, Lee County commissioners adopted sweeping changes to the Southeast Lee County Community Plan despite repeated public objections....
Fort Myers crews clear Billy Creek
Fort Myers continued a multiday cleanup of Billy Creek’s filter marshes as crews removed overgrown plants from a system built to keep pollutants out of the waterway. The restoration effort includes removing sediment, trash and debris that stall water flow and support bacteria growth.
Lee County to buy over 300 acres environmentalists call critical for protection
Protecting Eden Oak helps preserve water quality, coastal wetlands, wildlife habitat, and the resilience of the Caloosahatchee estuary. Eden Oak, Cattle Dock Point, Piney Point (aka Redfish Pointe) all being conserved for their natural ecological value would be exceptional progress and stewardship.
Rare rust tide bloom threatens marine life near Sanibel beaches
A rare algae bloom is making its way through several Southwest Florida beaches, and researchers say it could pose a serious threat to marine life. It is called rust tide, and this is only the second time it has been spotted in the area since 2023.
Rare algae bloom near Sanibel sparks environmental concerns
The waters near Sanibel have turned murky due in part to a rare algae bloom called Margalefidinium polykrikoides, or rust tide, which has been recorded in Southwest Florida for only the second time.
Cape Coral’s waterways face growing pressures from development
Cape Coral, once envisioned in the 1950s as a modern city, has grown into a community of over 200,000 residents with a 400-mile canal system, but its waterways face challenges as development expands.
Cape Coral developer fined more than $34K for mangrove removal without permits
A Cape Coral developer has been fined more than $34,000 for removing mangroves without permits on the Seven Islands development, a project that has sparked years of debate among residents. Jason Pim, a Calusa Waterkeeper volunteer and Cape Coral resident, expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the development.
Mangrove Matters: Rising seas, storms and development affect coastal system
Across South Florida, mangroves are being pressured by development, altered water flow, boat wakes, stronger storms and rising seas. And while mangrove forests are remarkably resilient, scientists say protecting one that’s intact is far easier than rebuilding one after it’s damaged.
Scientist at BGSU finds toxins from algal blooms present in air samples
Metcalf, who collaborated with Brain Chemistry Labs in Wyoming and Calusa Waterkeeper in Florida, published the findings in the leading journal Toxins.
Waterkeepers Florida Position Statement: Protecting Water, Wildlife, and Communities in the Face of Data Center Growth
As interest in large-scale industrial development of data centers continues to grow across our region, it is critical that local governments take a thoughtful and proactive approach to protecting our surface and underground waters, communities, and quality of life.
Water woes: Wells run dry, growth adds pressure as fresh water rushes to sea
In a state surrounded by water and partially covered by it for much of the year, Florida is quickly approaching what experts call a water paradox as freshwater supplies are starting to run low.
Warning signs missed before massive Labelle sewage spill found
A month after a mowing tractor sent an estimated 450,000 gallons of sewage flowing toward the Caloosahatchee in LaBelle, the sequence of events has come into sharper focus.