Calusa Waterkeeper 25th Anniversary Commemorative Report

TIMELINE My Mascot Musings Jason Pim, Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger This smalltooth sawfish story bookends my experiences of the disastrous harmful algal blooms of 2018. On June 27th, I accompanied John Cassani and Wayne Daltry as they escorted Miami Herald journalists from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee to observe the “guacamole” cyanobacteria bloom making its way downstream towards the Franklin Locks. I was already a CWK Ranger, but this was the first of many more “media algae tours" I would conduct throughout the summer. That next morning, I dropped our oldest daughter to her lifeguard classes at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. I was worried the bloom was headed for our canals and might affect the July 4 th boating plans for my community. So, I walked the Cape Coral pier to observe water conditions and clear my head, and immediately spotted a small sawfish near the shoreline. We contemplated each other for some time and I ultimately interpreted the encounter as a sign – one that galvanized my resolve to become an advocate for clean water and one that bolstered my faith in the Calusa Waterkeeper organization during the unfolding crisis. That summer, we endured months of horrific bloom conditions in the tidal Caloosahatchee and in our backyard canals. Our waterways were inundated with algae that turned entire canals into fluorescent green alleys, stinking up our neighborhoods and making folks sick. On August 25, in roughly the same area, I again spotted a small sawfish - perhaps the very same one. This time I could hardly see it because of the slimy Microcystis bobbing in the water just over its head. I felt an apology was in order as it was most certainly we humans who had drastically altered this primeval fish’s habitat. While that cyanobacteria was likely toxic, the fish seemed to be behaving normally. I found it compelling to observe the stalwart animal calmly enduring these trying conditions and took it as a further sign that we would also survive. I redoubled my commitment not only to protect this precious animal, but to lend my efforts to improving our environment and preserving our region’s precious water quality. Inside Right Jan 30, 1999 CRCA Community Forum at St. Michael’s School March 6, 1999 CRCA Member Meeting & Opening of Caloosahatchee Regional Park June 24, 2000 CRCA Seminar with Caloosa Nature Center & Planetarium May 2001 CRCA begins a water quality monitoring program Nov 21, 2000 4 th Annual CRCA l ” March 10, 2001 CRCA Annual Member Meeting & Picnic Nov 26, 2001 Boy Scout Brian Thompson wins award for 140 CRCA stencils August 2002 Caloosahatchee Regional Park plans revised to protect Oxbows Nov 21, 2002 6th Annual CRCA l ” In January of 1995, a core group of 90, who had attended the Forum, gathered at the Calusa Nature Center’s Iona House to discuss next steps. And thus, a “citizen’s group to watch over the river” was born. The first job was to come up with a name. According to Rae Ann Wessel, “ this was like getting 90 people to name a baby.” Hence the CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, which does not exactly roll off the tongue. It was quickly abbreviated to CRCA. The News-Press article and Forum had laid down markers, which were now taken up by this intrepid group of nascent water warriors. They adopted the concept, watch-words, like “Riverwatch” (which became the unofficial title of the organization), and even co-opted a News-Press image to become the new logo! CRCA was incorporated on March 9, 1995, with retired attorney Jim Haggart as its first President, Laura Church as VP, Laura Wewerka as Secretary and Bill McGrath as Treasurer. It received its official 501(c)(3) designation the following year. The history of the organization deserves more space than can be afforded here. There have been moments when it foundered; there have been notable victories, like the hugely successful Storm Drain Stencil Project, River Ride which endured 18 years, a $500k grant from South Florida Water Management District for Oxbow Restoration and getting the River listed as one of the top ten most endangered rivers by the notable American Rivers organization in 2006, bringing much needed national attention to our increasingly impaired waterway. But, through it all, CRCA or Riverwatch and now Calusa Waterkeeper has persevered. At its founding twenty-five years ago – and this is just as true today - it was fueled by the energy and passion of ordinary citizens and volunteers fighting to defend the integrity of the River. ORIGIN STORY [CONTD.]