Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Commentary: Chiquita Lock case shows how to suppress civic participation
We write to ask for Floridians’ help to protect both our water and environment, as well as our right to participate in the civic affairs of our communities without fear of retaliation by government.
Losing the Calusa Waterkeeper, Capt. Codty Pierce
One of 15 independent organizations in Florida that belong to the international Waterkeeper Alliance, the nonprofit organization is designed only to protect, preserve or restore our waters. Codty Pierce was designed that way, too.
100-square-mile red tide bloom lurks off Southwest Florida coast
A large-scale red tide bloom, roughly 100 square miles in size, is floating in the Gulf of Mexico about 25 miles off the Southwest Florida coastline, stretching from Charlotte Harbor to beyond Marco Island.
Celebration of Life for Calusa Waterkeeper, Captain Codty Pierce
Calusa Waterkeeper and the family of Captain Codty Pierce invite the community to join them in a Celebration of Life for Codty, a beloved local fly-fishing guide turned environmental advocate.
A vital job, a huge heart and an old soul: remembering Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce
Pierce was about to celebrate his second anniversary as the nonprofit’s lead advocate. The work could mean sampling a tidal creek for fecal bacteria one day, meeting with chamber of commerce members the next, but always as a passionate, determined truth-teller about the watershed’s challenges.
Calusa Waterkeeper Mourns the Loss of Captain Codty Pierce, Beloved Environmental Leader & Advocate
The Calusa Waterkeeper board and staff are deeply saddened to confirm the unexpected passing of our beloved waterkeeper, Captain Codty Pierce, on January 13, 2025.
The first Calusa Waterkeeper talks about his aquatic plant research that became an industry standard
Hear Ernesto Lasso de la Vega speaking with his former boss at the Lee County Hyacinth Control District John Cassani, who would later become the first Calusa Waterkeeper.
Cold fronts keeping red tide offshore for now
Red tide has been blooming off our coastline for nearly four months now, but we haven’t seen those major impacts one typically associates with the blooms.
Red tide make for dead mullet
The island had a large number of dead mullet up and down the beach over t he New Year, the result of a possible red tide outbreak offshore.
Record-Breaking Real Estate Deal
A significant question in the minds of many first learning of the deal is infrastructure — how will it support a huge jump in use of both roads and clean water?
More Submerged Hazards Surface
Bob Moro of Nautical Mile Magazine describes the widespread marine debris, floating and submerged, being encountered throughout Southwest Florida waters.
BLOWN AWAY: East winds keep red tide off our shores – for now
Calusa Waterkeeper put out a red tide update, saying this season’s unpredictable weather is actually giving our coastline some relief. The organization said strong east winds have kept the blooms at bay – for now.