Originally published on WINK News by Bridget Bruchalski on August 28, 2025 Environmental groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that Florida’s water quality standards are dangerously outdated and that these regulations leave communities...
Originally published in the News-Press by Chad Gillis on August 27, 2025 The gulf measured 88 degrees Aug. 26, according to several sources. Vibrio is among one of the untold number of microbes found in oceanic environments. “If there’s a lot of organic...
Originally published on WINK News by Bridgette Bruchalski on August 25, 2025 The Coast Guard is investigating the sheen, which stretches across this section of the river. Experts warn that even a small leak can have lasting effects. “It stays on the surface...
Originally published on WINK News by Sommer Serne and Mariaregina Mendoza on August 25, 2025 An oily sheen appeared on the Caloosahatchee River over the weekend, causing concern among residents in North Fort Myers. Many are worried about a strong diesel smell near the...
Originally published on Fox4 by Bella Line on August 25, 2025 A colorful sheen spotted on the Caloosahatchee River has raised concerns about marine life and water safety in the area. FOX 4’s Bella Line spoke with the Calusa Waterkeeper and a business on the...
Originally published on Fox4 by Bella Line on August 22, 2025 Water quality remains a top concern for Calusa Waterkeeper, and this weekend they’re aiming to raise awareness. The environmental organization is teaming up with Swamp Cat Brewery to raise money to...
Originally published by Waterkeepers Florida by Jen Lomberk on August 19, 2025 The Environmental Defense Alliance and Waterkeepers Florida have filed a lawsuit against Lee M. Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for failing to adopt...
Originally published on Fox4 by Andrew Shipley on August 8, 2025 Sea grass, along with oysters and mangroves, are the drivers for health of waterways in our Southwest Florida community. The more they thrive, the cleaner our important estuary will be. Through Florida...
Calusa Waterkeeper is excited to announce open enrollment in August for its Fall 2025 Ranger Academy Training with Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh. Citizens are invited to become certified Rangers and stewards of our waterways. The academy offers a comprehensive...
Originally published in the News-Press by Charlie Whitehead on August 1, 2025 It took an audit conducted in May to discover that the trigger had been missed. When it revealed the oversight, city utilities asked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to...
Originally published in Florida Weekly by Roger Williams on July 30, 2025 FIVE: Senate Bill 492 — Land Development This represents a major change in the longstanding practice of wetland mitigation, when developers agree to “mitigate” destruction of wetlands by...
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on July 15, 2025 The reservoir is one of 68 original projects Congress signed into being when it approved the largest environmental restoration project on the globe in 2000. As often happens with such...
Originally published in the News-Press by Chad Gillis on June 30, 2025 Joe Cavanaugh spent more than a decade studying one of the most highly endangered species in all of Florida, and now he’s charged with protecting one of the last waterways that represent the...
Guest Speaker Matt DePaolis of Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) will join Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh and Rangers to Lead Discussion Fort Myers, FL – June 24, 2025 – The Caloosahatchee is facing similar pressures to many other...
Originally published in Florida Weekly by Roger Williams on June 18, 2025 New Calusa Waterkeeper named, promising bold action for Southwest Florida’s waters On Jan. 13, the previous Calusa Waterkeeper himself, Codty Pierce, died suddenly, leaving a broken-hearted void...
Originally published on WINK News by Claire Galt on June 12, 2025 Lee County is experiencing rapid growth, which raises concerns about infrastructure and environmental impacts. Commissioners recently approved Neal Communities’ plan to build nearly 1,100 homes on...
Originally published in the Boca Beacon by Shelia Evans on June 12, 2025 Our water watchman A new Calusa Waterkeeper recently joined the mission of protecting Southwest Florida’s water resources from pollution, misuse and overdevelopment. Joe Cavanaugh now holds...
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on June 4, 2024 Already, cyanobacteria is blooming upriver, streaking shorelines from the rural community of Alva east of I-75 to Fort Myers Shores, some five miles from downtown. Despite the sliming,...
Originally published on WINK News by Claire Galt on June 2, 2025 In 2021, the state ordered Fort Myers to eliminate discharges and improve infrastructure by 2028. The city has now negotiated a new deadline of 2032. John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper emeritus, expressed...
Originally published on Fox 4 by Bella Line on May 29, 2025 “As you take out the mangroves, you weaken the resistance for storm surge protection, and also, as you make cuts, hurricanes and tropical storms will do more damage to the existing mangroves,”...
Set against the backdrop of Pine Island Sound’s pristine waters and old Florida charm, the Tarpon Fly Fishing Invitational returns this June to Tarpon Lodge. More than just a premier fly-fishing event, the Invitational is a growing force for good—bringing together...
Originally published on Fox 4 by Andrew Shipley on May 22, 2025 Joe Cavanaugh, recently retired from NOAA, where he worked with Smalltooth Sawfish. There is a new voice for Southwest Florida’s waters, as Calusa Waterkeeper has announced their new waterkeeper....
Calusa Waterkeeper, Inc. is proud to announce the appointment of Joe Cavanaugh as the new Calusa Waterkeeper, working to protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal waters of Lee County. Cavanaugh brings decades of experience in...
Originally published on Fox 4 by Andrew Shipley on April 23, 2025 Have you ever wondered what is in our waterways? And I am not talking about plants or animals, but instead bacteria. Fox 4 Meteorologist Andrew Shipley joined Calusa Waterkeeper who has been testing our...
Originally published by Chad Gillis in the News-Press on April 23, 2025 An Everglades restoration project that’s been in planning stages for decades will finally be completed this year, likely within a few weeks, Gov. Ron DeSantis said April 22 in Naples. The...
Originally published by Paul Dolan on WINK News on April 16, 2025 Water quality has long been a significant environmental concern in Southwest Florida. Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) aim to improve water quality in specific areas, but their effectiveness is...
Dear Calusa Waterkeeper Members and Supporters, I’m writing today to share some important news about a leadership transition at Calusa Waterkeeper. Our Executive Director, Connie Ramos-Williams, has made the heartfelt decision to step down from her role effective...
Originally published in the News-Press on April 13, 2025 Conservation organizations stand united in stating our highest level of concern regarding the Kingston development By Audubon Florida, Audubon Western Everglades, Big Waters Land Trust, Calusa Waterkeeper,...
Originally published by Paulette Leblanc in the Pine Island Eagle on April 8, 2025 On Saturday, March 29, Calusa Waterkeeper ranger Sue Dahod ran a vertical oyster garden class-type learning experience at Carmen’s Kayaks for anyone interested in learning about...
Originally published by Roger Williams in Florida Weekly on February 26, 2025 “In 2024 the state reported a total water area of 3,668,875 acres statewide for estuary segments identified as impaired for various pollutants.” Those waters no longer fully serve recreation...
