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 cover water quality in the area, upcoming events, support for the Safe Waterways Act Senate Bill 604. And a big THANK YOU to all those that have supported Calusa Waterkeeper and our mission to fight for drinkable, fishable, swimmable waters. For more information, to become a member, volunteer, or donate: www.CalusaWaterkeeper.org

Hear from Richard Whitman, retired Aquatic Ecologist for United States Geological Survey (USGS), during the expert panel Q&A after the virtual premiere of Waterborne Documentary on November 11, 2021, at 7 pm. Register now to be a part of this special event: https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Executive Director at Brain Chemistry Labs, Paul Alan Cox, PhD https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Vice Mayor for the City of Stuart, Merritt Matheson https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Chairman of the Board of Governors for South Florida Water Management District, Chauncey Goss https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Chairman of the Board of Governors for South Florida Water Management District, Chauncey Goss digs deeper on water quality and pollution issues throughout Southwest Florida. https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Do the waters you recreate in have fecal pollution? The state of Florida isn't always saying. You have the Right to Know! http://right2knowfl.org * Please support the Safe Waterways Act *

This week's water updates include the persistent bloom on Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River, and new technology to test airborne toxins related to harmful algal blooms. For more information, to become a member, volunteer, or donate: www.CalusaWaterkeeper.org

FGCU Water School Professor & Florida Blue-Green Algae Task Force Member, Michael Parsons, PhD https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Executive Director at Brain Chemistry Labs, Paul Alan Cox, PhD https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Mayor of Fort Myers Kevin Anderson https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Professor, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Chairman of the Board of Governors for South Florida Water Management District, Chauncey Goss https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Nikki Fried https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne Waterborne is a documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure. Contributors to this documentary include researchers Paul Alan Cox, PhD, R. Grace Zhai, PhD, Zoraida Diaz-Perez, Mike Parsons, PhD, Michael Mullan, M.D., PhD, Richard Whitman, PhD, J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D. Mph Tm, David A. Davis, PhD. Along with policy makers Chauncey P. Goss (South Florida Water Management), Merritt Matheson (City of Stuart), Kevin B. Anderson (City of Fort Myers), and Nikki Fried (Florida Commissioner of Agriculture)

https://calusawaterkeeper.org/waterborne/ - Calusa Waterkeeper's documentary film exploring the public health impact of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Hear from scientific experts and officials on how Florida's policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, and inadequately protecting the public from exposure.

This week's updates from John include water quality in Matlacha Pass, info on a CDC study, and an event this Saturday, July 3rd at 2 pm, at Unitarian Universalist Church to support Right to Clean Water. To sign up for the free event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-right-to-clean-water-tickets-158507214345 www.CalusaWaterkeeper.org

Eternal Vigilance documents the decline of the nine tributaries to the Estero Bay, the state of Florida's first Aquatic Preserve. The 30th Anniversary of the designation of the nine tributaries as Outstanding Florida Waters (2020), deemed worthy of special protections to prevent degradation, should be a cause for celebration. Regrettably all nine tributaries, as well as the Estero Bay itself are all impaired in one context or another and at risk of further degradation. This documentary explores the challenges facing their restoration and highlights the individuals fighting to preserve these Outstanding Florida Waters. https://calusawaterkeeper.org/estero

Water quality updated from Barron Park in LaBelle. Calusa Waterkeeper, along with several other environmental groups have asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for communities impacted by what appears to be a growing toxic blue-green algae outbreak in the Lake Okeechobee system and a red tide in the Gulf of Mexico. Groups like the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Everglades, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and nearly a dozen others signed on to a May 8 letter that was delivered to the governor’s office. To read the letter and news article, visit: https://calusawaterkeeper.org/news/red-tide-and-blue-green-algae-prompt-environmental-groups-to-ask-gov-desantis-for-state-of-emergency-8730/ Thank you to pilot Ralph Arwood for being our eyes in the sky and documenting the blooms in the area. To become a member, volunteer or donate, visit: www.CalusaWaterkeeper.org

This week, John meets with Bonita Springs resident Cope Smoak, an expert on mayan cichlids and one of our wonderful dedicated volunteers keeping a vigilant eye on our local waters. To view the Water Quality report, become a member, volunteer or donate: https://CalusaWaterkeeper.org

This week's report talks about water levels of Lake Okeechobee, ongoing red tide blooms and cyanobacteria in the Caloosahatchee. Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani, also updates us on the manatee mortality rate, mentioned in a previous Words Episode this year. Earlier this week we released our Southwest Florida Water Quality Report about water quality impairments of nine Southwest Florida counties. To view the Water Quality report, become a member, volunteer or donate: https://CalusaWaterkeeper.org

Troubled Waters: Public Health Impacts of Harmful Algae Blooms is a documentary by Calusa Waterkeeper focusing on South Florida. We interview three groups of individuals: research scientists studying Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs), doctors and nurses on the front lines, and patients who have suffered harm. Featuring some of the world’s leading scientists studying HABs including Dr. Paul Alan Cox, Dr. James Metcalf, Dr. Walter Bradley, Dr. Larry Brand, Dr. David A. Davis, Dr. Elijah Stummel and more. https://calusawaterkeeper.org/troubled-waters