Originally published by The News-Press on March 17, 2022 by Chad Gillis A light breeze blew out of the northwest as two Florida Gulf Coast University research boats slowly plowed east along the Caloosahatchee River just after sunset. Clouds lined the sky and lightning...
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...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 10, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams The fliers started showing up in Southwest Florida mailboxes this week. “Are toxic harmful algal blooms affecting your health? The University of Miami wants to know and needs your help.”...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 10, 2022 by Chad Gillis The state’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force plans to tackle issues like septic tank pollution and the effectiveness of retention ponds in 2022. Some parts of Florida are literally covered and...
Originally published by The News-Press on March 4, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani had hoped someone would admit their mistake. After all, someone, has repeatedly released plumes of turbid water – and turbidity is pollution – into a canal...
Originally published by The News-Press on February 21, 2022 by Amy Bennett Williams There’s a mystery in the Caloosahatchee – one that agencies in charge of the river haven’t yet solved: Where did several muddy jolts of polluted water come from? And who’s...
Originally published by The News-Press on February 17, 2022 by Chad Gillis Harold Wanless gave his first talk on climate change in Naples in 1981, and the University of Miami professor, now 80, will return Tuesday to speak on the same subject as part of a Collier...
You can Report Trash along the Caloosahatchee that could Pose a Risk to Wildlife Originally published by WINK News on February 3, 2022 Styrofoam was scattered along the Caloosahatchee riverbank near Centennial Park on Thursday, and it’s apparently been there for...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on February 2, 2022 Both the Florida legislators themselves and observers from outside Florida’s state government point to other major challenges or issues facing elected leaders this session, one being the Safe Waterways Act —...
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...
Construction of Reclaimed Water Pipeline from Fort Myers to Cape Coral to Begin Soon Originally published by WINK News on January 24, 2022 There’s a plan to keep the water flowing not down a river, but across a river. Progress is happening on an idea to move reclaimed...
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...
Originally published by TC Palm on January 20, 2022 and written by Sydney Czyzon and Max Chesnes. Treasure Coast lawmakers admit Florida’s flagship program to reduce water pollution isn’t working. But none are taking action during this legislative session to change...
Researchers Studying How Blue-Green Algae Toxins Travel Originally published by WINK News on January 18, 2022 We know that toxins from blue-green algae can make people sick. And, the smell and sight of blue-green algae is something none of us want to deal with again....
Guest Editorial originally published by The Invading Sea on January 6, 2022 and written by Howard Simon The Florida Legislature has had a tough time maneuvering through the politics of clean water to effectively curb pollution and protect public health. The...
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....
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...
Originally published by Florida Weekly on December 15, 2021 This hasn’t happened in years: Floridians are in agreement, a rarity anywhere these days, about any subject. Democrats and Republicans are in agreement, somewhat. People from the state’s east and west...
Originally published by The News-Press on December 6, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams The bad news: Toxic blue-green algae are blooming in the Caloosahatchee near a popular boat ramp. The good news: We’ve been warned. On Monday, Lee County’s health department placed a...
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...
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on December 2, 2021 and written by Nicole Johnson, Director of Environmental Policy for Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Marjory Stoneman Douglas famously penned one of the greatest books ever written on 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...
Originally published by The News-Press on November 26, 2021 by Chad Gillis Caloosahatchee River flows are looking good at a time when algae is absent from the entire system, and other health indicators seem promising as the region transitions into the brunt of the dry...
Manatees Flock to Warmer Waters During Cool Spells Originally published by WINK News on November 24, 2021 As the temperature in Southwest Florida drops, visitors head to Lee County’s Manatee Park in hopes of running into sea cows. The mammals migrate toward warm...
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...
Florida Bill Wants Signs Posted by Creeks and Waters Contaminated by Fecal Bacteria Originally published by WINK News on October 25, 2021 A new bill is calling for warning signs about what’s lurking underneath the surface of Florida’s waterways. If the Safe Waterways...
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...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 26, 2021 by Chad Gillis and Amy Bennett Williams Dozens of scientists, environmental groups, elected officials and agency heads met online Tuesday to talk about recent changes to a still controversial plan to govern...
