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,...
Public Comment Wanted for Lake Okeechobee Water Management Plan Originally published by WINK News on August 16, 2022 The U.S. Army Corps of engineers needs your help on a proposal for Lake Okeechobee. They’re asking for people’s opinions on a plan that would send more...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 8, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams If you want to swim in poop-, red tide- or cyanobacteria-contaminated waters, Florida’s health department isn’t going to stop you – in Lee County, at least. When enteric bacteria levels...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 8, 2022 by Chad Gillis More than four years have passed since a devastating and deadly red tide ravaged Southwest Florida, killing off millions of tons of marine life and shutting down the local tourism industry. And...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 5, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams It was a day of sharp questions and soul-searching as Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force met Thursday for the first time since February. The official theme was a mouthful (stay with...
Originally published by The News-Press on August 1, 2022 by Chad Gillis A blue-green algae bloom is festering again this summer on Lake Okeechobee, the de facto headwaters of the Caloosahatchee River. But lake levels are low, and experts say there is little to no...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on July 22, 2022 The water is not just murky around Matlacha – it’s now appearing milky and the problem is being closely watched by Calusa Waterkeepers. “It’s funny, it wasn’t even here at noon today. Now it’s just coming in with the...
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...
Originally published by FOX4 News on July 20, 2022 Last week, Fox 4 told you about high fecal bacteria found at Bonita Beach which led to the Florida Department of Health to advise against swimming in the water. The Calusa Waterkeepers, a local conservation group,...
Originally published by The News-Press on July 19, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams The bad news: Sometimes there are unsafe levels of poop at the region’s beaches. The good news: It’s no secret. That means would-be recreators can arm themselves with knowledge...
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...
Lake Okeechobee sees 240 Square Miles of Blue-Green Algae Originally published by FOX4 News on June 24, 2022 Lake Okeechobee is seeing about 240 square miles of Blue-Green Algae on the north, west, and south shores. That is about a 30% increase over the last two...
Milky White-Colored Water & Fish Kill in Matlacha Pass Originally published by FOX4 News on June 24, 2022 We are learning more about what caused a fish kill in Matlacha Pass last week. NOAA says the fish likely died because of low oxygen levels in the water. They...
Originally published by The News-Press on June 23, 2022 by Chad Gillis A minor algae bloom is lingering along the western rim of Lake Okeechobee, but the Caloosahatchee River looks relatively healthy and experts don’t expect to see a devastating blue-green algae...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on June 16, 2022 Blue-green algae has been found in at least 5 different canals in southeast Cape Coral. The Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani, said stormwater runoff and warmer waters are likely to blame. He advises nearby residents...
Cape Coral sees Blue-Green Algae pop up in Multiple Canals Originally published by WINK News on June 16, 2022 Blue-green algae have once again been found in Cape Coral canals. Connie Rokicak spotted some blue-green algae specks floating in the water behind her home,...
Originally published by The Pine Island Eagle on June 15, 2022 by Paulette LeBlanc Calusa Waterkeeper ranger Sue Dahod has begun a new task force that will meet monthly to discuss local water conditions, changes in water quality and any harmful bacteria detected...
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...
Originally published by FOX4 News on June 8, 2022 Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a $1.2 billion budget approval for Everglades restoration and protection of water resources from Fort Myers Beach Wednesday. The governor made the announcement inside Doc Ford’s Rum...
Blue-Green Algae in a Southwest Florida Canal Originally published by WINK News on May 13, 2022 Pictures of blue-green algae get exposed in a Southwest Florida canal. The cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, had lingering effects on the water after washing...
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...
Research Finds Airborne Toxins in Southwest Florida Originally published by WINK News on May 3, 2022 There’s new information about airborne toxins in Southwest Florida as research expands. Concerns are growing about the impact on the community and the air we breathe....
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...
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...
Originally published by The News-Press on April 20, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams A legal petition filed by neighbors concerned about mangrove removal in the Siesta Isles development was dismissed Tuesday. Petitioners say they’re already planning another round....
Originally published by TC Palm on April 20, 2022 by Max Chesnes Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force gave lawmakers a C average on adopting the scientists’ solutions to curb and clean up water pollution that ignites toxic blooms. The five experts Gov....
Originally published by The News-Press on April 15, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams Just as it took decades before smoking was recognized as a cancer trigger, it’s taken until recently for science to firmly link nitrogen pollution to the persistence of red tide. But a...
Florida Lawmaker Wants to Stop Lake Okeechobee Water Releases Originally published by WINK News on April 13, 2022 A Southwest Florida lawmaker working to stop harmful discharges that cause blue-green algae in our canals. They want Lake Okeechobee to operate without...
