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

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a nice holiday and are all rested up and ready to get back to work protecting Southwest Florida’s water resources.

The next meeting of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council is scheduled for Thursday January 26th from 12:30–2:00 p.m. on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University in the Cohen Center (previously known as the Student Union Building), Room 247 (No. 17 on the attached map). If you have problems finding the room, please stop by the Information Booth in the Cohen Center for directions. 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 combined with Dr. Don Duke’s Water Policy class and our Water Wisdom Program will feature Bob Sobczak, a hydrologist with the National Park Service at Big Cypress National Preserve. Bob has been a Hydrologist with the National Park Service for more than14 years and is the author of “Go Hydrology!”, a weekly blog about Southwest Florida’s hydrologic conditions http://www.gohydrology.org/. Bob will be discussing current and future planned activities of the National Park Service as they relate to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and how hydrology is incorporated into decision making. All are welcome to attend this free program.   

The WC Board of Directors will have a lunch meeting on January 26th from 11:00–12:15, just prior to the regular membership meeting, at the Bass Pro Shops’ Islamorada Fish Company in Gulf Coast Town Center. The meeting will be held in the Hemingway Room, a private room in the back of the restaurant. Please remember that this month we will be having Board officer elections. If you are not present you may be nominated for an officer position (just kidding). In all seriousness, I hope that all board members will be able to attend this important meeting.

The Natural Resources Committee (NRC) will meet Monday January 23rd, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at First Watch Café located near downtown Ft. Myers at 2059 Altamont Ave.

Have a great weekend,

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