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From tons of zoom meetings and introductions, snorkeling for seagrass, collecting bacteria samples, media interviews, meeting with officials, to brewing craft beer, searching for sawfish and reviewing policy actions, I'm learning the job of the Waterkeeper can be a wild ride from day to day!
You can learn more about all those activities in this newsletter, but first I wanted to say thank you to all the CWK members and those in the community who have helped get me up to speed in my new role and make me feel welcome. We have a lot of exciting things we're working on behind the scenes to position our advocacy initiatives, collaborate in the community and strategize new projects.
Stay tuned to hear a lot more on a variety of topics, but for now the most important thing to tell you about is joining us for the remainder of National Water Quality Awareness Month. With two events complete, and two more to go, the 2nd Annual Taps Flow for H2O, developed by our Development Director, Connie Ramos-Williams, has shaped up to be a lot of fun. Many thanks to Calusa Brewing and Millenial Brewing for hosting us so far, and we hope you can join us at the next two stops:
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Joe Cavanaugh
Calusa Waterkeeper
Helping get the collaborative craft brew, "Calusa Crusaders" started at Swamp Cat on August 1st.
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Taps Flow for H2O
Aug 23: Swamp Cat Brewing
Join us in downtown Fort Myers' newest breweries to try the limited edition Citrus Ale collaboration between Swamp Cat, Point Ybel, Chubby Mermaid, and Kaleidoscope Brewing!
Staring at noon this is a full-day fundraiser for Calusa Waterkeeper, featuring craft beer, live music, yoga, and giveaways!
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Aug 30: License to Chill
Celebrate Jimmy Buffet Day, Labor Day and the Finale of our Taps Flow for H20 events at Margaritaville Fort Myers Beach! The month concludes with a high-energy rooftop celebration featuring local celebrities, games, and giveaways sponsored in part by Corona Beer.
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🦜 NEW: Parrot Head Costume Contest!
Join us at 4pm on the lawn, where for a $20 donation you can strut your best Parrot Head style—all proceeds benefit Calusa Waterkeeper and the fight for clean water in SWFL. Celebrity judges, audience participation, and prizes for winner & runner-up. Don’t miss the fun!
We will also be announcing the winner of a 2-night stay at Margaritaville Beach Resort at 6 pm—every $10 online donation earns one entry to win! Enter to win.
| | 📅 Gearing Up for a Busy Fall! | |
Ranger Academy - Fall 2025 Session
The Ranger Academy is a training program for volunteers interested in working with the Calusa Waterkeeper in SWFL. Rangers act as citizen scientists in area waterways to conduct surveys and report observed conditions on local waters. Rangers advocate for clean water and the overall health of our environment in southwest Florida.
Four sessions starting September 13 - November 1, 2025
Six Mile Cypress Slough, Multi-Purpose Room
Enrollment in the Ranger Academy Training is a $125 donation that helps to cover the cost of the educational program.
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State of Our Water Quarterly Meeting
Guest Speaker Michele Arquette-Palermo, Chief Program Officer of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida will present "Model to Mishap: Why Protecting Southwest Florida’s Waters Matters to All of Us"
Calusa Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh will present perspectives on Climate Impacts on Southwest Florida as part of Florida Climate Week, hosted by VoLo Foundation.
October 11, 2025 | 9:30am-4pm
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Iona House
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30th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting
Join Us for Calusa Waterkeeper’s 30th Anniversary Celebration (originally scheduled for January) as we reflect on our achievements over the past three decades and recognize those who played a vital role helping us fulfill our mission to protect and restore our valuable water resources.
November 7, 2025 | 3:30pm-6pm
Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Fort Myers
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🧫 Fecal Indicator Bacteria - May Results
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CWK conducts Fecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) water sampling at up to 32 sites in Southwest Florida each month. We publish the results to keep the public informed on potential risks. Enterococci bacteria found in water can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections, and rashes.
Results over 70 MPN would trigger an advisory from the Florida Department of Health if these sites were classified as "public bathing places." View the full results. (Please note conditions can change daily).
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💼 We're Hiring!
Fundraising and Donor Relations Manager
We are seeking an experienced fundraiser with superior networking abilities to join our team. The candidate should have a history of successful fundraising and donor development in Southwest Florida, particularly in Lee County.
The Fundraising and Donor Relations Manager will develop in-depth knowledge of the organization and lead the development and implementation of a robust fundraising strategy to increase funding revenue and sustain the organization’s work.
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📣 Human Health Criteria (HHC) Lawsuit
The Environmental Defense Alliance and Waterkeepers Florida have filed a lawsuit against Lee M. Zeldin, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for failing to adopt water quality protections concerning toxic and cancer-causing chemicals in Florida’s waters.
Water quality criteria for dozens of toxic chemicals that affect human health are supposed to be reviewed and updated by state environmental protection agencies, like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), every three years in order to keep pace with updates in scientific research and new information.
These toxic pollutants include known carcinogens like benzene and other chemicals found in fumigant pesticides and industrial solvents. However, many of Florida’s water quality criteria have remained woefully outdated since the 1990s.
Full Press Release
Calusa Waterkeeper is one of fifteen chartered Waterkeeper organizations that make up Waterkeepers Florida.
| | 📰 In the Press & Around the Watershed | | |
Waterkeeper Joe Cavanaugh was invited to help judge the pizza and wings showdown at the 2nd Taps Flow event at Millenial Brewing!
Calusa Waterkeeper - August 16, 2025
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Fort Myers council warned of "sticker shock" as wastewater tab rises to $147M
Fort Myers News-Press - August 15, 2025
| | Opposition grows to Florida law designed to improve disaster recovery
Florida Phoenix - August 8, 2025 | | |
Sea grass monitoring reveals both challenges and hope for Southwest Florida's vital underwater ecosystems
Fox4 - August 8, 2025
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Throughout July, CWK & FGCU volunteers helped assess 18 total sites for the Eyes on Seagrass program over multiple trips.
Calusa Waterkeeper - August 7, 2025
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At Swamp Cat Brewery to begin the brewing process of the Calusa Crusaders Citrus Ale collaboration!
Calusa Waterkeeper - August 4, 2025
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August 1st aerials of Lake Okeechobee by Ralph Arwood, satellite data estimated the harmful algal bloom at ~280 square miles.
Calusa Waterkeeper - August 4, 2025
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Tests flag Fort Myers drinking water in November. City tells residents in July
Fort Myers News-Press - August 1, 2025
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Rewriting the Rules: Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani on Senate Bill 492 - Land Development
Florida Weekly - July 30, 2025
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Nearing 3 years after Hurricane Ian's landfall, the environmental impacts drag on, as seen in the Fort Myers Beach nourishment project.
Calusa Waterkeeper - July 26, 2025
| | 💙 Support Our Mission, Win Cool Prizes! | |
Enter to WIN a 2-Night Stay at Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach.
A portion of the proceeds from all activities will benefit Calusa Waterkeeper’s mission to protect and restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal waters.
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