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Calusa Waterkeeper is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida. Together with our supporters, we are passionate about the Caloosahatchee watershed and surrounding ecosystems. We are focused on local action items as well as state, and national water management practices that impact water quality. By protecting our waters and improving natural habitat for fish and wildlife, we can enhance our community’s quality of life and economic prosperity.

What Makes us Unique

• Science-based research guides us in our water and air monitoring programs, education, and advocacy efforts, emphasizing how water quality impacts human health.
• We take action on specific local pollution issues, including Billy’s Creek, Manuels Branch, the Caloosahatchee River, Cape Coral canals, the Estero Bay watershed, and others, in addition to advocating on broader state-wide management issues.
• Our team of Rangers and volunteers are trained to test and monitor local waterways and advocate for improving local water
  quality.

What we Care About

Water quality is our top priority with a focus on harmful algal blooms (blue-green algae and red tide) and the health risks associated with them, fecal bacteria contamination, and stormwater and nutrient pollution. We monitor local water conditions, as well as Lake Okeechobee discharges, the C-43 Reservoir, regulatory compliance and restoration projects.

• We invented the Aerosol Detector for Harmful Algae Monitoring (ADAM) and corresponding research methods, testing for airborne toxins known to cause adverse effects on human health.
• We conduct monthly monitoring for fecal pollution in area waters, including Billy’s Creek, Manuels Branch, Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, and the tributaries of Estero Bay. Test results are shared with the public and environmental enforcement agencies.
• We increase public awareness about the effect of poor water quality and harmful algal blooms on the environment and human health in an effort to influence Florida’s public policies.
• We keep abreast of state legislative priorities related to water quality and land use, and issue action alerts to our supporters when appropriate.
• We monitor LOSOM (Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual) and continuing to provide public input.
• We began vertical oyster gardening and juvenile tarpon habitat volunteer projects to protect and improve estuarine water quality and marine habitats.
• We empower a core group of volunteers by expanding our Ranger training program and outreach opportunities.
• We partner with like-minded community organizations to advance our common goals and visions for improved water quality across Southwest Florida.