Welcome to the Home Page of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council

The mission of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council is to protect, conserve, manage and/or restore the land and water resources of the Caloosahatchee and Big Cypress Watersheds.   Through increased awareness, participation and cooperation among all stakeholders in consensus building, planning and decision making, we are working to meet the economic, natural and cultural needs for this and succeeding generations.

The Southwest Florida Watershed Council is a grass-roots, multi-county coalition of individuals, organizations, agencies and businesses that have come together to address the issues affecting the Caloosahatchee and Big Cypress watersheds.   The purpose of the Watershed Council is to ensure that the interests and concerns of all stakeholders are addressed, and that long term management strategies balance the needs of this region’s growth and the natural systems upon which our economy and quality of life depend.   

To learn more about the goals of the Watershed Council, visit our Information page.  Membership is open to all.   Any individual, group or business that wants to ensure that decisions affecting the watershed are based on the best science available and balance the needs of all stakeholders should see our Membership form for more information on how to join.

Today is

The next meeting of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council is scheduled for Thursday May 17th from 1:30–2:50 p.m. on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University in the Cohen Center (previously known as the Student Union Building), Room 213 (No. 17 on the attached map). Parking is free, but you will need to stop by the parking kiosk to pick up a Visitor’s Pass. The parking kiosk is located on the right side of the road, just inside the main entrance to campus (No. 13 on attached map). Once you’ve obtained a parking pass you may park in any unmarked space on campus.

This month’s meeting will be held in conjunction with Dr. Don Duke’s Environmental Policy class. Our Water Wisdom Program this month will feature Jacki Lopez, Staff Attorney with The Center for Biological Diversity. Ms. Lopez will be discussing aspects of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and how it relates to protection of natural resources in Southwest Florida. For more information on the Center for Biological Diversity please visit: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

All are welcome to attend this free program.  

The WC Board of Directors will have a meeting from 3:00–5:00 p.m. following the regular membership meeting in Cohen Center Room 213.

The Natural Resources Committee (NRC) will meet Monday May 14th from 12:00–1:00 p.m. at First Watch Café located near downtown Ft. Myers at 2059 Altamont Ave.

I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting next Thursday.

Regards,

James Evans (for Greg Rawl, Chairman)
SWF Watershed Council