Monthly News & Updates

October 2023

October Fecal Bacteria Indicator Results

CWK conducts Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) sampling at up to 32 sites in Southwest Florida each month. Enterococci bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections, and rashes.

In our October 21st samples, only 4 sites were found to be below the Florida Department of Health's advisory threshold of 70 MPN. View the full results. (Please note conditions can change daily)

2023 Annual Appeal

Every year, we appeal for funds to support our programs and advocacy efforts in the fight for drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water. Now more than ever, our waterways face various stresses due to damaging urban sprawl that triggers water quality to suffer and harmful algal blooms to occur because of discharges from upstream sources.

We ask for your support – above and beyond your membership dues – to help fund our critical programs and meet operational expenses. Please join us in expanding our efforts to protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.

Support Calusa Waterkeeper

We thank you in advance for your continued support of Calusa Waterkeeper.

Contributions are fully tax-deductible; our tax ID# 65-0565226, FL registration # CH25796.

Juvenile Tarpon DNA Requested

In our collaboration with Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, we are seeking DNA samples (fin clips) to aid in research of localized feeding habits and habitats. We have a goal of 50 samples to meet by the end of this year and could use your help achieving it!

Note this study is focused on the Caloosahatchee River Estuary. If you would like to help, please contact us at info@calusawaterkeeper.org and Capt. Codty Pierce can give you more details.

Turn Your Passion Into Action: Volunteers Needed

Calusa Waterkeeper will participate in several community engagement events, allowing us to network with thousands of people in our fight for clean water. We need help staffing our booths, distributing CWK materials, and answering basic questions about the organization. Please let us know if you can help staff a CWK table for any length of time at any of these events:

Fort Myers Boat Show: Nov. 9-12, 2023
Edison Ford Plant Sale: Nov. 18-19, 2023
Reset Center Seed and Fall Plant Sale: Dec. 9, 2023
Sanibel Farmers Market: Jan. 21, 2024
Burrowing Owl Festival: Feb. 24, 2024

Email info@calusawaterkeeper.org or call (239) 899-1440 to let us know which event(s) you help us with. We thank you in advance for your time.

Save the Date!

We'll be holding a joint Quarterly Ranger meeting and a Ranger Training Introductory Event for interested individuals on the morning of Saturday, December 2nd. Stay tuned for venue and other details.

In the Press and Around the Watershed

Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce recently presented to the League of Women Voters

Calusa Waterkeeper Volunteers Create Oyster Gardens to Aid Water Quality

Fox4 News - Oct. 9, 2023

Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and Businesses Send Support to Neighbors Impacted by Hurricane Ian

Calusa Waterkeeper - Oct. 12, 2023

High Fecal Bacteria at Lee County Beaches Trigger Warnings

News-Press - Sep. 29, 2023

ICYMI: Holding States Accountable for Harmful Algal Blooms - Florida's Water Crisis in Focus

By Jason Totoiu and Jaclyn Lopez

This Article seeks to provide water quality advocates, lawmakers, and government agencies with a regulatory and policy framework for addressing HABs in their states, using Lake Okeechobee and its coastal estuaries as a case study.

Calusa Waterkeeper - P.O Box 1165, Fort Myers, FL (239) 899-1440 | info@calusawaterkeeper.org