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...
Calusa Waterkeeper Supports SB 604 / HB 393 to Provide Broader and Consistent Public Notification of Fecal Contaminated Waterways Residents and tourists come to Florida’s iconic waters for recreation and enjoyment, but unfortunately many state waterways have become...
Report Shines Spotlight on Southwest Florida’s Water Issues Originally published by WINK News on October 25, 2021 A state report shows trouble in Southwest Florida’s water. Scientists warn that areas of our water are polluted with nutrients and bacteria. While the...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 24, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams What’s been long suspected now is official: Southwest Florida’s most cherished waters are in trouble. From Charlotte Harbor south to San Carlos Bay, a draft state report shows...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 15, 2021 by Chad Gillis A proposed Lake Okeechobee management plan is still drawing concerns from state water managers and the public as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to finalize what’s called the...
Originally published by The News-Press on October 8, 2021 by Chad Gillis The public will soon get a chance to see models the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been using to formulate a controversial Lake Okeechobee management plan that will be in place for more than a...
Originally published by The News-Press by Chad Gillis and Amy Bennett Williams on October 7, 2021 A new plan to regulate Lake Okeechobee’s water levels and outflows is nearly complete. It’s also a complete mess, or a good plan, or simply flawed, depending...
Originally published by WGCU News on September 29, 2021 The nonprofit Calusa Waterkeeper has a new Executive Director. Trisha Botty most recently served as Head of Social Impact and Connectivity at Collaboratory in Fort Myers. Her background includes positions in...
Originally published by WGCU News on September 27, 2021 Fort Myers is set to spend over $60 million to improve the water quality in the Caloosahatchee River. The city already accepted blame for repeatedly dumping untreated wastewater into waterways after the...
Calusa Waterkeeper Welcomes Trisha Botty as its New Executive Director Community advocate steps up to fight for clean water and protection of our waterways FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 20, 2021) — The Board of Directors of Calusa Waterkeeper is pleased to announce the...
