Calusa Waterkeeper

Manuel's Branch is a creek that is part of the City of Fort Myers drainage system running between U.S. 41 and the Caloosahatchee River that, for unknown reasons, keeps testing very high for fecal bacteria. Calusa Waterkeeper is holding an informational meeting about the problem on Oct. 15.

Calusa Waterkeeper to highlight ongoing severe fecal bacteria presence at Manuel's Branch creek

Tom Bayles

Calusa Waterkeeper will explain the current water conditions, outline health risks, and share tips about the drainage creek, which measures Enterococcus levels 21 times higher than Florida allows.

Finding ways to keep the Caloosahatchee River clean with the triple threats of stormwater runoff from nearby roads and parking lots, releases of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee, and phosphorus and nitrogen from over-fertilizing lawns is just one of the many solutions Calusa Waterkeeper's 400 volunteers and staff must come up with to clean up Southwest Florida's rivers and streams for future generations

Environment

Calusa Waterkeeper names Ramos-Williams new director

Tom Bayles

Connie Ramos-Williams is the new director of Calusa Waterkeeper in Southwest Florida

Codty Pierce, above right, has been named the new top Calusa Waterkeeper by the group of the same name. Shown with Pierce is former Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassini. Pierce is a Lee County native and lifelong outdoorsman, Pierce grew up fishing in Southwest Florida and has spent several years observing the hydrology and environments of Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor and Estero Bay

Environment

Calusa Waterkeeper names Codty Pierce its new leader

Tom Bayles

Codty Pierce is the new leader of Calusa Waterkeeper

John Cassani, the original Calusa Waterkeeper, is stepping down on Jan. 1 after six years

Environment

John Cassani, original Calusa Waterkeeper, stepping down as head of clean-water alliance

Tom Bayles

John Cassani, the first person to be named Calusa Waterkeeper, is stepping down from the position he has held at the clean water environmental alliance for six years.Calusa Waterkeeper is among the most active environmental groups in Southwest Florida using a combination of staff scientist, experts, and a cadre of volunteers.One of Cassani’s priorities has been to keep the group focused on clean-water initiatives, whether for drinking, swimming, and fishing with a special emphasis on the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico.

Fecal bacteria may be in the water where you're swimming. A proposed act aims to require posting advisories.

Tara Calligan

The proposed “Safe Waterways Act” by Calusa Waterkeeper would require the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) to issue health advisories and post and maintain warning notices at “public bathing places” where the water has been found to contain fecal bacteria.

Calusa Waterkeeper welcomes Trisha Botty as its new Executive Director.

Meet Calusa Waterkeeper's new Executive Director Trisha Botty

Tara Calligan

Calusa Waterkeeper has announced a new Executive Director. Learn more about Trisha Botty and her plans to continue advocating for improved water quality in our region.

Environmentalists Worry Expanded Property Rights Bill Will Undermine Coastal Resiliency/Conservation Efforts

John Davis

During the 2021 Annual Florida Legislative Session, state lawmakers passed a pair of bills aimed at expanding protections for landowners. The measures, currently awaiting Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature, authorize property owners to file lawsuits against government entities over local land-use regulations, even if the property owners have no formal development plans that would be impacted.Smart-growth advocacy organizations like 1,000 Friends of Florida say the bills could serve as a weaponization of the Bert Harris Act that could prevent local governments from imposing smart-growth regulations that would undermine the state’s coastal resiliency efforts.We'll take a closer look and explore the current state of toxic red tide and blue-green algae blooms in Southwest Florida.

Nonnative, invasive lionfish have infiltrated state waters and are negatively impacting Florida’s reefs and wildlife. These fish not only prey on native saltwater species, they also compete for food with economically important species such as grouper and snapper.

Environmental Roundup November 14, 2020

Valerie Vande Panne

Welcome to this week’s Environmental Roundup! Here are the environmental stories this week that caught our eye.

Local Environmental Groups Host Summit To Introduce Water Quality Policy

Andrea Perdomo

Now that newly elected officials have been sworn in, local environmental groups have joined together to host an event to lay out policy that would help to…

A Seagrass Restoration Project In The Caloosahatchee River Makes Progress

Andrea Perdomo

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program partnered with local non-profit organizations as well as private citizens and companies to try to restore…