Originally published by WINK News on January 10, 2023 Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani, a man who has dedicated himself to the preservation of Southwest Florida’s waterways, plans to retire soon. Cassani has been the face of the region’s water for years. Whether you’re...
Originally published by ABC-7 News on January 5, 2023 Hundreds of dead fish have been spotted in Cape Coral canals and residents are not sure why this has been happening. Cape Coral resident Francesca Nappi and her neighbors have noticed a strange smell for the past...
Originally published by The News-Press on December 23, 2022 by Chad Gillis Hurricane Ian and a red tide bloom combined to create dangerous conditions in coastal waters in Lee and Collier counties this year, and some water quality experts say they still would avoid...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on December 15, 2022 The Public Forum on Water Quality & Environment Issues, previously scheduled for October 2022, has a new date. The Estero Council of Community Leaders (ECCL) is holding a town-hall style Public Forum on...
If Water Is Vital For All Forms of Life and the Centerpiece of Existence, Let’s Defend It! For years, my battle cry and passion has always been for clean drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water. I’ve watched our waterways and estuaries deteriorate as more...
Red Tide Continues to Make its way through Southwest Florida Waterways Originally published by FOX4 News on November 17, 2022 Red tide continues to make its way across southwest Florida waterways. Some areas are not feeling the full effect, though many beaches are...
Originally published by The News-Press on November 17, 2022 by Chad Gillis Scientists are saying a red tide bloom that’s lingered along the coast for a few weeks is now being fed by nutrients running off the landscape in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Red tide...
Originally published by The News-Press on November 15, 2022 by Chad Gillis A red tide bloom that’s been lingering off the coast of Sarasota and Charlotte counties has made it to Lee County waters, where fish kills are being reported at some local beaches. Red...
Originally published by WINK News on November 14, 2022 Red tide lines Southwest Florida’s coast from south Lee County into Sarasota. And the bloom appears to be growing. Health officials in Charlotte County issued an alert for the presence of a red tide bloom near...
It is with heavy, but grateful hearts that the Calusa Waterkeeper Board of Directors announces the retirement of John Cassani as the Calusa Waterkeeper, effective January 1, 2023. John’s service to the Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) organization and the people of Southwest...
Originally published by The News-Press on November 3, 2022 by Chad Gillis The Lake Okeechobee drainage system is more likely to see a blue-green algal bloom next spring as a result of Hurricane Ian. Lt. Col. Todd Polk, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said Ian...
As we honor John’s Cassani’s retirement as Calusa Waterkeeper and his career of service, here are but some highlights of his immense commitment to our environment and community. John was a founding member of Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association (CRCA)...
Originally published by WINK News on October 28, 2022 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said they will begin releasing Lake Okeechobee discharges into the Caloosahatchee River. This raises concerns in Southwest Florida because the area is still trying to dry out after...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on October 25, 2022 Many beachgoers are starting to make their return, for some, it’s just looking at the damage, while others are ready to get back in the water. “We’ve gone a few times, yea, it’s been a while since we’ve been able...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 15, 2021 by Chad Gillis The Caloosahatchee River got a huge flush of saltwater when Hurricane Ian plowed into the Southwest Florida coast. And then a lot of it roared back, along with plenty of freshwater runoff....
Originally published by The News-Press on October 6, 2022 by Chad Gillis Think twice about going for that dip at the local swimming hole, there could be dangerous bacteria and even industrial chemicals in the water. The Department of Health in Lee County Thursday...
Originally published by ABC-7 News on September 26, 2022 Fecal bacteria is back in Lee County waters, and it’s worse than you think. Over the weekend, the Calusa Waterkeeper, an environmental watchdog in Lee County, surveyed recreational waterways around Lee County...
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on September 20, 2022 and written by John Cassani The latest salvo on Florida’s declining water quality, this time from Florida’s Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains concludes, “The pollution problem has been...
Calusa Waterkeeper Looking at Effects of Blue-Green Algae Toxins Originally published by WINK News on September 13, 2022 As blue-green algae blooms grow, so do health concerns. Lee County, the Department of Environmental Protection, and FGCU are all monitoring the...
Lee County Partners with Environmental Company to help Treat Blue-Green Algae Originally published by FOX4 News on September 12, 2022 From the greenish color of the water to the odor that comes from it, now the work to handle the blue-green algae bloom is in North...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on September 10, 2022 Cyanobacteria has taken over the canals of Waterway Estates in North Fort Myers, a canal system along the Caloosahatchee River. Photos taken on Wednesday and Thursday show huge, green mats of bad-smelling...
Update on Blue-Green Algae in Little Lake Michigan Canal Originally published by WINK News on September 9, 2022 The blue-green algae in the Little Lake Michigan Canal appears to have been broken up by the recent heavy rain. Just because it is no longer visible on the...
Blue-Green Algae found in North Fort Myers Canal has Homeowners Feeling Uneasy Originally published by FOX4 News on September 8, 2022 Blue-green algae have been found in a North Fort Myers canal and people are not only seeing it but smelling it as well. It blooms...
Matlacha Pass Water Quality with Capt. Codty Pierce Thank you Capt. Codty Pierce for taking the time to share what you have been seeing out on the water. Learn about Matlacha Pass water quality and other local waterways from this charter fishing captain and lifetime...
Originally published by The News-Press on September 7, 2022 by Chad Gillis Lake Okeechobee levels are low with only six weeks left in the rainy season, a scenario that could put sea grasses, oysters and marine critters that rely on the Caloosahatchee River estuary in...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on September 1, 2022 The Estero Council of Community Leaders is holding a town-hall style Public Forum on Greater Estero Water Quality and Environment Actions and Solutions at The Water School at FGCU at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13....
Originally published by The News-Press on August 17, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams A new study by Sarasota’s Roskamp Institute shows breathing red tide toxins can cause neurological problems. Eating red tide-tainted seafood has long been known to make people...
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on August 17, 2022 Waterkeeper Ranger Sue Dahod, facilitator of the Pine Island Algae Bloom Task Force, provided an update on the condition of the water in Matlacha, at the group’s meeting Aug. 10. There is floating mat algae,...
Public Comment Wanted for Lake Okeechobee Water Management Plan Originally published by WINK News on August 16, 2022 The U.S. Army Corps of engineers needs your help on a proposal for Lake Okeechobee. They’re asking for people’s opinions on a plan that would send more...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 8, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams If you want to swim in poop-, red tide- or cyanobacteria-contaminated waters, Florida’s health department isn’t going to stop you – in Lee County, at least. When enteric bacteria levels...
