Monthly News & Updates

August 23, 2023

Words From the Waterkeeper

For the month of August, CWK has been busy accumulating additional sampling data by increasing our testing efforts in both our FIB (Fecal Indicator Bacteria) program and ADAM (Aerosolized toxin research) project deployed across Lee County. Learn more: Water & Air Testing Programs

August weather conditions historically drive increases in stormwater runoff and the prevalence of waterborne algae and bacteria. In both of our testing programs, we are emphasizing the analysis of possible point sources and observing areas of high precipitation throughout our territory. These observations have resulted in 7 new FIB sample sites this month that yielded important data. With help from our volunteer rangers, we are closing in on accomplishing our goal of increasing ADAM site sampling by 7.5x.

With the recent development of tropical activity in the Gulf and Atlantic, we will continue to monitor the rainfall predictions and potential impacts that a weather system may have on our watershed in regard to runoff and S-79 discharges to the Caloosahatchee estuary. CWK is dedicated to serving our community for clean drinkable, fishable and swimmable waters for everyone. With your support, we are able to continue this work of documenting and analyzing this important data as our area recovers from Hurricane Ian.

-Capt. Codty Pierce

August 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. 14 of 32 sites were above the Florida Department of Health's advisory threshold of 70 MPN. View the full results.

(Please note conditions can change daily)

Next Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop

Save the Date! The next Vertical Oyster Garden Workshop will be on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 9:00 am, most likely at the FGCU Food Forest. Last session, volunteers made more than 70 oyster gardens and then hung them underneath docks around the watershed. Calusa Waterkeeper Captain Codty Pierce reports he has already seen remarkable growth from many of those gardens.

If you would like more information or to be a part of the next workshop, please send us an email.

CWK Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Lee

Since 2019, Mike Lee has devoted his time and talents to helping Calusa Waterkeeper as a Ranger in our water and air monitoring programs.

Each month, on a Saturday, you will find Mike in the lab coordinating and testing water samples our Rangers provide from sites around the region. He also helps our Waterkeeper Capt. Codty Pierce with the ADAM program.

Each time Mike enters the lab, he brings with him over 25 years of scientific experience through his time teaching at Joliet Junior College in Illinois. Mike taught microbiology, anatomy, and physiology. He also served 18 years as the Chairman of the Natural Sciences Department.

Calusa Waterkeeper is truly grateful for the dedication of CWK Rangers like Mike and all our volunteers who are committed to protecting and restoring the waters of Southwest Florida.

Interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities at Calusa Waterkeeper?

Please contact us at 239-899-1440 or email at info@calusawaterkeeper.org

In the Press and Around the Watershed

With a blue-green algae bloom spreading through our area, Calusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce deploys an Aerosol Detection for Algae Monitoring (ADAM) unit along the Caloosahatchee River near algae hot spots.

Make Your Legacy Last Forever

We appreciate and value our visionary donors who continually advocate for improved water quality, directly impacting the health and well-being of people and communities in Southwest Florida.

We invite you to visit the Give Today page on our website and explore various ways you can support our work through a one-time or monthly gift, stock donation, gifts from an IRA that meets a Minimum Distribution Requirement, or a planned gift, potentially reducing your current or future tax burdens.

Please consider a gift that transforms our work and leaves your legacy forever. Thank you!

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