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...
Waterkeepers Florida has collaborated with other environmental organizations to publish a progress report on the implementation of recommendations made by Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force. In short, meaningful progress is difficult to find: In his first...
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on July 21, 2022 The Harmful Algae Bloom Task Force met Wednesday, July 13, to discuss possible pertinent information on local water quality, in case it affects public health on Pine Island. The group is made up of a...
The Board and staff of Calusa Waterkeeper wish to extend our sincerest condolences for the recent passing of Frank Mann. In honor of the important work that Mr. Mann did while he served as a Lee County Commissioner and other public offices, and after receiving...
The fight to restore our water quality can be extremely frustrating at times. I guess that’s why even small victories need to be celebrated. The recent veto of SB2508 was gratifying. Many thanks to all of you who made your voice heard. The persistence and dedication...
Calusa Waterkeeper supports the Right to Clean Water constitutional amendment ballot initiative. The following information has been adapted from their brochure. All Floridians need the fundamental right to clean and healthy waters. Our health, our economy, and nature...
Originally published by The News-Press on June 15, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams A month into the summer rainy season, the signs have begun appearing at popular Southwest Florida waterways. Sporting red or yellow tops depending on threat level, they warn would-be...
After pioneering a new monitoring device and releasing initial results, Calusa Waterkeeper board member Manuel Aparicio IV, PhD, will be presenting a workshop, “Airborne HAB Monitoring” about this ground-breaking research at the Waterkeeper Alliance Global Conference...
Thank you – your voice made a difference! Your efforts over the past weeks and months in contacting the Governor’s office have paid off. Wednesday morning Governor Ron DeSantis announced his decision to veto Senate Bill 2508 and held multiple press...
Words from the Waterkeeper Episode 34 Join Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani for recent water quality updates in the region from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal...
Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger, Sue Dahod lends her time and educational background to keep an eye on water conditions throughout Matlacha Pass from both Pine Island and the shores of Matlacha. Calusa Waterkeeper brings you these updates from her observations. We encourage...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on May 4, 2022 He’s won this Florida Weekly award before, and if we’re lucky he’ll win it again rather than retiring: John Cassani, our Calusa Waterkeeper. Mr. Cassani is like the Marine Corps: He’s the single most effective...
Originally published by The News-Press on May 2, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams The good news: A first-of-its-kind field study of Southwest Florida air and water didn’t find widespread cyanobacteria toxins – mostly. The bad news: It did find several neurotoxins as well...
Calusa Waterkeeper and Wyoming-based Brain Chemistry Labs collaborate on ground breaking device to research airborne toxins from harmful algal blooms Using the most sensitive technology available for detecting harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, the Calusa Waterkeeper...
Originally published by The News-Press on April 29, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams When legislation that would have let developers destroy seagrass in exchange for mitigation credits died with Florida’s 2022 session last month, many environmental advocates were...
Originally published by The News-Press on April 22, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams Free speech, religion, assembly, work: Many Floridians know those rights are guarantees by their federal and state constitutions. But the right to clean water? Nowhere to be found. A...
Calusa Waterkeeper Finds High Levels of Bacteria in Billy’s Creek Originally published by WINK News on April 20, 2022 A creek isn’t clearing up after years of problems. The Calusa Waterkeeper says there’s a high level of contamination in Billy Creek. The place...
Waterkeeper Hefeweizen by Point Ybel Brewing Now Available to the Public Monday, April 11, 2022, Calusa Waterkeeper spent a fun night at our annual meeting, debuting a new collaboration with Point Ybel Brewing Co., announcing our slate of board officers, and...
Local brewery, Point Ybel Brewing Company has launched a collaborative beer, the “Waterkeeper” Hefeweizen. This refreshing brew gives back to our local waterways by donating $1.00 for every pint sold to the local nonprofit, Calusa Waterkeeper. Calusa Waterkeeper...
Waterborne Documentary Now Available for Free Viewing Calusa Waterkeeper is thrilled to announce that our latest documentary, Waterborne, is now available FREE for public viewing! This important film, along with our other educational documentaries, Eternal Vigilance:...
