by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 27, 2026 | Featured, Harmful Algal Blooms, Press, Water Testing
Originally published in Florida Weekly by Roger Williams on April 27, 2026 Research scientists make the undeniable connection between blue-green algae and the growing public health crisis Connections are good — unless they’re not. Take the connection between algal...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 11, 2026 | Featured, Harmful Algal Blooms, Press, Water Testing
Originally published on Gulf Coast News by Natacha Casal on April 11, 2026 Researchers and environmental advocates gathered at Florida Southwestern State College to address the health and environmental impacts of harmful algal blooms, including airborne toxins and...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 11, 2026 | Harmful Algal Blooms, Press, Water Testing
Originally published on WINK News by Paul Dolan on April 11, 2026 Water experts are holding an event this morning to keep up with the state of Southwest Florida’s water. The Calusa Waterkeeper says the main presentation will look at how algal toxins may play a...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 9, 2026 | Featured, Harmful Algal Blooms, Press, Water Testing
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on April 9, 2026 Why dolphins sometimes strand themselves on shore, often to die, has long troubled scientists and beachgoers alike. A recently published article explores whether their brains may warn...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 30, 2026 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press, Science
Originally published on Gulf Coast News by Evan Dean on March 30, 2026 Among the places the non-profit is working to protect is Glover Bight. It’s a cove along the Caloosahatchee River, near The Westin Cape Coral Resort. “In the federal registry, this is known as...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 24, 2026 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press, Science
Originally published on WINK News by Bridget Bruchalski on March 24, 2026 A rare sawfish nursery in the Caloosahatchee River faces mounting threats from development and rising sea levels. Joe Cavanaugh, Calusa Waterkeeper, took WINK News to one of only two known...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 3, 2026 | Events, Featured, Press, Science
“Algal Toxins & Alzheimer’s Disease” will be the keynote address by David A. Davis, Ph.D. of the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank Calusa Waterkeeper will welcome Dr. David A. Davis of the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank as the keynote speaker...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Feb 18, 2026 | C43 Reservoir, Featured, Policy, Press
Originally published on Gulf Coast News by Evan Dean on February 18, 2026 The C-43 is designed to capture runoff and water releases from Lake Okeechobee during the rainy season, clean the water while it’s being stored and then release it down the Caloosahatchee River...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Dec 16, 2025 | Featured, Press
Gregg Poulakis, Ph.D. of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will present “The Last Stronghold: Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish in Florida.” Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh will highlight potential development impacts to sawfish habitat in the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 22, 2025 | Featured, Science
If you’ve ever watched young children at the beach making sandcastles while fighting against occasional waves breaking over their hard-won efforts, you can appreciate the futility of beach nourishments. Although a necessary part of coastal living in Florida, the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 17, 2025 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, CWK Rangers, Press
Originally published on Gulf Coast News by Gina Tomlinson on October 16, 2025 “My initial thought was, that’s going in front of wetlands,” said Joan Perkett, who often kayaks near the marina. “They’re extending in front of wetlands. What’s going on there?” Perkett...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 30, 2025 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on September 30, 2025 Florida determines beach water quality based on Enterococcus levels. A measurement of 70.5 or more cells per milliliter of water is classified as “poor” and may trigger a...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 23, 2025 | Featured, Science
Juvenile Smalltooth Sawfish resting underneath red mangrove canopy – Courtesy NOAA Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) are listed as endangered throughout their Atlantic range under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and as Critically Endangered on the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 19, 2025 | Bacteria Monitoring, Featured, Press
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on September 19, 2025 Florida determines beach water quality based on Enterococcus levels. A measurement of 70.5 or more cells per milliliter of water is classified as “poor” and may trigger a...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 9, 2025 | Featured, Press
Michele Arquette-Palermo of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida will present “Model to Mishap: Protecting Southwest Florida’s Waters Matters to All of Us.” And as part of Florida Climate Week, Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh will discuss “The Influence of Climate...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 28, 2025 | Featured, Litigation, Policy, Press
Originally published on WINK News by Bridget Bruchalski on August 28, 2025 Environmental groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that Florida’s water quality standards are dangerously outdated and that these regulations leave communities...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 25, 2025 | Featured, Press
Originally published on WINK News by Bridgette Bruchalski on August 25, 2025 The Coast Guard is investigating the sheen, which stretches across this section of the river. Experts warn that even a small leak can have lasting effects. “It stays on the surface...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 25, 2025 | Events, Press
Originally published on Fox4 by Bella Line on August 25, 2025 A colorful sheen spotted on the Caloosahatchee River has raised concerns about marine life and water safety in the area. FOX 4’s Bella Line spoke with the Calusa Waterkeeper and a business on the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 22, 2025 | Events, Featured, Press
Originally published on Fox4 by Bella Line on August 22, 2025 Water quality remains a top concern for Calusa Waterkeeper, and this weekend they’re aiming to raise awareness. The environmental organization is teaming up with Swamp Cat Brewery to raise money to...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 8, 2025 | CWK Rangers, Press, Science
Originally published on Fox4 by Andrew Shipley on August 8, 2025 Sea grass, along with oysters and mangroves, are the drivers for health of waterways in our Southwest Florida community. The more they thrive, the cleaner our important estuary will be. Through Florida...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 8, 2025 | CWK Rangers, Featured, Press
Calusa Waterkeeper is excited to announce open enrollment in August for its Fall 2025 Ranger Academy Training with Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh. Citizens are invited to become certified Rangers and stewards of our waterways. The academy offers a comprehensive...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 30, 2025 | Press
Originally published in the News-Press by Chad Gillis on June 30, 2025 Joe Cavanaugh spent more than a decade studying one of the most highly endangered species in all of Florida, and now he’s charged with protecting one of the last waterways that represent the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 23, 2025 | Events, Featured, Policy, Press
Guest Speaker Matt DePaolis of Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) will join Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh and Rangers to Lead Discussion Fort Myers, FL – June 24, 2025 – The Caloosahatchee is facing similar pressures to many other...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 18, 2025 | Press
Originally published in Florida Weekly by Roger Williams on June 18, 2025 New Calusa Waterkeeper named, promising bold action for Southwest Florida’s waters On Jan. 13, the previous Calusa Waterkeeper himself, Codty Pierce, died suddenly, leaving a broken-hearted void...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 12, 2025 | Press
Originally published in the Boca Beacon by Shelia Evans on June 12, 2025 Our water watchman A new Calusa Waterkeeper recently joined the mission of protecting Southwest Florida’s water resources from pollution, misuse and overdevelopment. Joe Cavanaugh now holds...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 4, 2025 | Featured, Harmful Algal Blooms, Press
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on June 4, 2024 Already, cyanobacteria is blooming upriver, streaking shorelines from the rural community of Alva east of I-75 to Fort Myers Shores, some five miles from downtown. Despite the sliming,...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | May 29, 2025 | Press
Originally published on Fox 4 by Bella Line on May 29, 2025 “As you take out the mangroves, you weaken the resistance for storm surge protection, and also, as you make cuts, hurricanes and tropical storms will do more damage to the existing mangroves,”...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | May 19, 2025 | Press
Originally published on Fox 4 by Andrew Shipley on May 22, 2025 Joe Cavanaugh, recently retired from NOAA, where he worked with Smalltooth Sawfish. There is a new voice for Southwest Florida’s waters, as Calusa Waterkeeper has announced their new waterkeeper....
by Calusa Waterkeeper | May 19, 2025 | Featured, Press
Calusa Waterkeeper, Inc. is proud to announce the appointment of Joe Cavanaugh as the new Calusa Waterkeeper, working to protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal waters of Lee County. Cavanaugh brings decades of experience in...
