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:...
Written in committee as a special bill, SB 2508 bypassed the typical committee and analysis processes, only allowing for one public hearing. This bill proposes many changes to the implementation and funding process of projects by the Department of Environmental...
Originally published by TC Palm on March 30, 2022 by Ed Killer Four South Florida environmental nonprofits sent Gov. Ron DeSantis a letter Wednesday urging him to veto a controversial Lake Okeechobee water supply bill. Opponents say SB 2508 contains an unnecessary...
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 33 John Cassani brings us up to speed on the latest water quality issues in our region including the monitoring of tapegrass renewal exclosures and the efforts of local organizations to restore this important marine vegetation in...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 21, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams Scientists are working to understand what’s staining water brownish to olive drab near Bunche Beach and the Sanibel Causeway in south Lee County where the Caloosahatchee River meets the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
After three long years, thousands of modeling runs and countless public input meetings, the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) is nearing completion. And just as we thought the Army Corps was reaching a more equitable plan for most (not all) stakeholder...
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...
The Safe Waterways Act (SB 604) has yet to be heard in the Florida State Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Without this committee’s support we may lose this legislation on fecal pollution. Please call or email today to urge Chairman Jason...
Originally published by TC Palm on January 5, 2022. It’s a textbook Florida morning at a ranch just north of Lake Okeechobee. Cattle roam. Herons and egrets hunt for food. Clouds mosey across the sky. But beneath this idyllic scene, a silent byproduct lurks....
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...
What Lies Beneath? Study Aims to Learn What’s in Lake O’s Sediment Originally published by WINK News on December 15, 2021 A study is underway to find out what’s below the surface of Lake Okeechobee. Think of our water quality and the lake as a puzzle. There are many...
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 Naples Daily News on December 2, 2021 by Karl Schneider The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has filed documents supporting its appeal to overturn a court decision rejecting the group’s challenge to the development of Rivergrass, a village in...
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...
Originally published by The News-Press on November 3, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams with contributions by Chad Gillis & Karl Schneider Florida’s soaring population is good for business, but there may be a hidden price: the health of the state’s...
Calusa Waterkeeper Announces Public Premiere of Waterborne Documentary and Expert Panel Discussion Waterborne is a Film that Explores the Contamination and Toxins Found in Regional Waterbodies People have a right to know what is in the water and the potential health...
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...
