Originally published by The News-Press on May 02, 2023 by Amy Bennett Williams Construction of the C-43 reservoir is on hold after the South Florida Water Management District fired the contractor for the half-billion-dollar-plus job. The district announced the...
Originally published by WINK News on April 11, 2023 The color of some of the mangroves from above? Grey – like the mood as we note the coastline’s defenses are weakened. The color of the sky this day, also grey. The new Calusa Waterkeeper, Captain Codty Pierce noted...
For the last several weeks, red tide has brought intense respiratory irritation to beachgoers, hundreds of thousands of dead fish, and several dead sea turtles and dolphin to our beaches. At this moment, we can be thankful that the red tide concentrations appear to be...
Originally published by WGCU News on March 13, 2023 We get a preview of the upcoming 2023 Southwest Florida Climate Summit, which is this Wednesday and Thursday, March 15 and 16, at the Collaboratory in downtown Fort Myers. It’s hosted and presented by the Coastal...
Originally published by TODAY on March 10, 2023. Spring breakers are flocking to Florida in hopes of enjoying clear water and white sand beaches, but many are instead discovering red tide during their vacations. The micro-organism that causes red tide has impacted...
Pierce comes aboard after the recent retirement of John Cassani The Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) board of directors is excited to announce the selection of Captain Codty Pierce as the next Calusa Waterkeeper. Codty is a native of Lee County and lifelong outdoorsman,...
Originally published by WINK News on February 13, 2023 Red tide is a complex water issue, and scientists who study it are surveying the conditions that can trigger blooms—sunlight, water temperature, salinity, wind direction, and speed—to figure out how to mitigate...
Originally published by The News-Press on February 1, 2023 by Amy Bennett Williams The biggest environmental restoration project in the history of the planet just got a report card. All in all, things are on track. No failing grades, but no raves either. There are...
January bacteria sampling results are in! We added several exciting new locations this month. We encourage you to check out the results for Bunche Beach, Hendry Creek, Mullock Creek, Spring Creek, and Estero River. Plus, take a look at Pine Island: the results were...
Guest Editorial originally published by The Invading Sea – an arm of Florida Climate Reporting Network on January 16, 2023 and written by John Cassani, retired Calusa Waterkeeper It is becoming obvious that Florida’s water restoration programs cannot keep pace...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on January 11, 2023 Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani steps back from a role in which he has gathered a team of 100 to monitor the Caloosahatchee River. After more than six years Cassani has finished a marathon of sorts – at...
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...
We thank You for being a part of the Calusa Waterkeeper family, following our accomplishments and investing in our work. On this Giving Thanks Thursday, we need to raise $50,000 to continue our prioritized water and air testing, especially now as dangerous Red Tide...
At this time of year, when we reflect on our many blessings, we can’t help but think of you, our loyal supporters who have given so much to Calusa Waterkeeper. Because of you, we: Collected 177 water samples from 25 sites that tested for fecal bacteria, which could...
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...
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...
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 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...
All of us in Southwest Florida have been impacted to some degree by Hurricane Ian. The catastrophic damage left in its wake has been life changing. Calusa Waterkeeper is committed to keeping our residents informed about water quality. With that in mind, we are...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on October 12, 2022 There’s no debate that Hurricane Ian was a disaster for Southwest Florida, leaving many homeless and thousands without power. But for right now, an ecological disaster is still unfolding, as pollution pouring into...
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...
Longtime fundraising and communications professional Julie Althaver will help grow the organization’s clean water advocacy capabilities The Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the addition of Julie Althaver to its team. Althaver brings...
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...
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...
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 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,...
Words from the Waterkeeper – Episode 35 Updates on local water quality in the region from Lake Okeechobee through the Caloosahatchee to the coastal waters. Please consider supporting our ongoing air & water sampling by donating at...
