Join Calusa Waterkeeper and Keep Lee County Beautiful (KLCB) as we celebrate 50 years since the Clean Water Act by cleaning up our waterways and watersheds in southwest Florida. Calusa Waterkeeper and Keep Lee County Beautiful are excited to announce our partnership...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 16, 2022 by Chad Gillis State water managers are asking residents and visitors in developed areas to cut down on water use because much of the state is in a moderate drought. But some environmental groups said they want...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 10, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams The fliers started showing up in Southwest Florida mailboxes this week. “Are toxic harmful algal blooms affecting your health? The University of Miami wants to know and needs your help.”...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 10, 2022 by Chad Gillis The state’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force plans to tackle issues like septic tank pollution and the effectiveness of retention ponds in 2022. Some parts of Florida are literally covered and...
Sadly, we’re here to report that the Safe Waterways Act (SB 604) appears to be dead for the 2022 Florida legislative session. Still, your calls, emails, and efforts got it passed in Senate Committee, which is a big victory for this bill and our work together!...
Wednesday was a delightful evening spent with supporters and partners during our Drinks, Dialogue and a Documentary special event at the Collaboratory. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with local beer, spirits and wine in a limited edition, commemorative Calusa...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 4, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani had hoped someone would admit their mistake. After all, someone, has repeatedly released plumes of turbid water – and turbidity is pollution – into a canal...
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 32 Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani gives us an update on the current legislative session, upcoming events, and more. Thank you to all those that have supported the Safe Waterways Act SB604. Floridians have the Right to Know if the...
Originally published by The News-Press on February 17, 2022 by Chad Gillis Harold Wanless gave his first talk on climate change in Naples in 1981, and the University of Miami professor, now 80, will return Tuesday to speak on the same subject as part of a Collier...
Who We Are. What We Do. What We Have Accomplished. And, Calusa Waterkeeper’s Plans for the Future. WHO WE ARE: Calusa Waterkeeper and its supporters LOVE our waters and are fighting to protect human health, aquatic life, our local economy, and our piece of...
You can Report Trash along the Caloosahatchee that could Pose a Risk to Wildlife Originally published by WINK News on February 3, 2022 Styrofoam was scattered along the Caloosahatchee riverbank near Centennial Park on Thursday, and it’s apparently been there for...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on February 2, 2022 Both the Florida legislators themselves and observers from outside Florida’s state government point to other major challenges or issues facing elected leaders this session, one being the Safe Waterways Act —...
Originally published by WGCU News on February 1, 2022 The Florida Department of Health posts advisories at some coastal beaches and “public swimming areas” when fecal bacteria is detected in the water. But, there is no requirement to warn people about waters that have...
Construction of Reclaimed Water Pipeline from Fort Myers to Cape Coral to Begin Soon Originally published by WINK News on January 24, 2022 There’s a plan to keep the water flowing not down a river, but across a river. Progress is happening on an idea to move reclaimed...
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on January 22, 2022 and written by John Cassani Why does water quality continue declining in so many areas of the state while the legislature consistently brags about historic spending to fix the problem? This...
Researchers Studying How Blue-Green Algae Toxins Travel Originally published by WINK News on January 18, 2022 We know that toxins from blue-green algae can make people sick. And, the smell and sight of blue-green algae is something none of us want to deal with again....
Words from the Waterkeeper Episode 31 For the last Words from the Waterkeeper for 2021, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani invites friends Dr. Win Everham, an ecology professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, and board president of Calusa Waterkeeper Jim Watkins. They...
Originally published by The News-Press on December 6, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams The bad news: Toxic blue-green algae are blooming in the Caloosahatchee near a popular boat ramp. The good news: We’ve been warned. On Monday, Lee County’s health department placed a...
Health Alert Issued in Fort Myers Shores for Blue-Green Algae Outbreak in Caloosahatchee Originally published by WINK News on December 6, 2021 The Florida Department of Health has issued a health alert after finding harmful blue-green algae toxins in the...
Originally published by The News-Press on November 26, 2021 by Chad Gillis Caloosahatchee River flows are looking good at a time when algae is absent from the entire system, and other health indicators seem promising as the region transitions into the brunt of the dry...
Manatees Flock to Warmer Waters During Cool Spells Originally published by WINK News on November 24, 2021 As the temperature in Southwest Florida drops, visitors head to Lee County’s Manatee Park in hopes of running into sea cows. The mammals migrate toward warm...
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on November 3, 2021 and written by John Cassani Florida passed landmark legislation in 1985 titled the Florida Right To Know Law (RTK). The RTK requires employers to provide adequate notice to employees regarding...
Florida Bill Wants Signs Posted by Creeks and Waters Contaminated by Fecal Bacteria Originally published by WINK News on October 25, 2021 A new bill is calling for warning signs about what’s lurking underneath the surface of Florida’s waterways. If the Safe Waterways...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 27, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams Are you splashing in poopy water if you roll your kayak in the Imperial River, take a tumble from––— your paddleboard into Whiskey Creek or wade in to untangle a bream snagged around a...
Report Shines Spotlight on Southwest Florida’s Water Issues Originally published by WINK News on October 25, 2021 A state report shows trouble in Southwest Florida’s water. Scientists warn that areas of our water are polluted with nutrients and bacteria. While the...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 24, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams What’s been long suspected now is official: Southwest Florida’s most cherished waters are in trouble. From Charlotte Harbor south to San Carlos Bay, a draft state report shows...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 8, 2021 by Chad Gillis The public will soon get a chance to see models the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been using to formulate a controversial Lake Okeechobee management plan that will be in place for more than a...
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 30 This week’s water updates include the persistent bloom on Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River, and new technology to test airborne toxins related to harmful algal...
Water district stays with alum, sand treatment for Caloosahatchee reservoir, or C-43 Originally published by The News-Press on September 13, 2021 by Chad Gillis “I think the train has left the station on this project,” said Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani,...
Algae found floating in Cape Coral canals Originally published by WINK News on September 12, 2021 John Cassani is the Calusa Waterkeeper and says there were multiple factors leading to the green algae. These include rain, water movement and warm water temperature. But...
