Calusa Waterkeeper hosts “Saving Estero Bay” online benefit
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the designation of the Estero Bay tributaries as Outstanding Florida Waters. To commemorate the occasion, Calusa Waterkeeper will present “Saving Estero Bay,” an online benefit to restore Estero Bay’s tributaries. The evening will feature special guests, a silent auction, documentary premiere, and will spotlight the stakeholders that live and work around Estero Bay. It will be broadcast on Facebook Live from 5:30 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 14.
The highlight of the evening will be the world premiere of Calusa Waterkeeper’s documentary, “ETERNAL VIGILANCE: Fighting to Restore the Estero Bay Tributaries.” The 25-minute film showcases the imperiled status of Estero Bay and its nine tributaries, and showcases the heroes working to preserve and restore these vital waters. The documentary was made possible by a grant from the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP).
A trailer for the film can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/8ngRXOp5R1s
“Estero Bay was Florida’s first Aquatic Preserve. The Bay and its nine tributaries are magnificent bodies of water that are now imperiled and need our help. Everything we do here in Southwest Florida is dependent on the quality of our waterways: Our economy, our tourism, our recreation, and even our physical health,” said K.C. Schulberg, producer/director of the film and executive director of Calusa Waterkeeper. “We hope those who love our Southwest Florida lifestyle will join our virtual flotilla on November 14 to explore and restore the health and recreational value of Estero Bay’s tributaries.”
The event will be produced by M&M Multimedia and broadcast live on the Calusa Waterkeeper Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CalusaWaterkeeper. The evening will include live in-studio presentations by Schulberg and his co-host Ruth Watkins, Calusa Waterkeeper president, and guest appearances by contributing artists, Clyde Butcher, Paul Arsenault, Myra Roberts, Theodore Morris, and Anika Savage, among others.
Admission to the online benefit and documentary premiere is free, however online registration is required at www.calusawaterkeeper.org/estero.
Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items and packages to benefit Calusa Waterkeeper and help promote its mission of drinkable, fishable, swimmable water.
“Advocating and educating for clean water is serious business, but we’ll make sure to have some fun at this virtual benefit,” said Schulberg. “The silent auction coffers are filling up with amazing contributions. We’re thrilled to have such strong community support for our waterways.”
Saving Estero Bay sponsors to date include Natural Awakenings Magazine, M&M Multimedia, Bay Water Boat Club, Estero River Outfitters and Tarpon Bay Seafood at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.
Sponsorship and silent auction opportunities are still available. Email the Saving Estero Bay sponsor team at sponsor@calusawaterkeeper.org to find out how to get involved. To become a Calusa Waterkeeper member or to contribute directly to Calusa Waterkeeper, visit www.calusawaterkeeper.org.
