Calusa Waterkeeper Saving Estero Bay Online Benefit Event Exceeds Fundraising Goals
Winning bidder David Resch receiving his Clyde Butcher print from Calusa Waterkeeper Executive Director KC Schulberg
Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani and Novelist Robert Macomber
The virtual event to benefit Calusa Waterkeeper was broadcasted on Facebook Live on Saturday, Nov. 14, to highlight the imperiled status of Estero Bay and its tributaries and raise awareness and funds for Calusa Waterkeeper’s water restoration efforts in Estero Bay and its tributaries.
"We received a number of compliments and congratulatory notifications," said Calusa Waterkeeper executive director KC Schulberg.
"While we all yearn for face-to-face meetings, COVID is likely to be with us well into 2021—even with a progressive rollout of a potential vaccine. Just like Zoom or GoToMeeting, I think online gatherings will remain a popular and standardized method of communication whether in small or large groups. We were satisfied with the results from our first online event, film premiere, and benefit and would certainly contemplate another."
One highlight of the virtual benefit was the premiere of the documentary “Eternal Vigilance: Fighting to Restore the Estero Bay Tributaries,” a locally produced, 26-minute film showcasing the heroes working to preserve and restore these imperiled waters. The event also marked the 30th anniversary of the designation of the Estero Bay tributaries as Outstanding Florida Waters.
Guest appearances included Clyde Butcher, Myra Roberts, Robert Macomber, Paul Arsenault, Theodore Morris, and Anika Savage who all donated artwork for the silent auction.
While this should be a reason to celebrate, it is also a reason for concern. Estero Bay is a verified impaired waterway, and all of its tributaries have segments that are impaired in various contexts.
Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani
"Impairment means the waterbody no longer meets the designated use as defined by Florida rule and statute," said Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani. "When a waterbody is designated as impaired it is placed on the state's list of impaired waters and awaits prioritization for restoration."
Cassani explained that examples of designated use would be: fish consumption, recreation, and propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. There are many parameters in Florida rules that are assessed for impairment. The most common are nutrients, metals, fecal bacteria, and dissolved oxygen.
Calusa Waterkeeper is collaborating with potential stakeholders toward restoring the waterbodies for the parameters that define impairment heading into 2021. The first meeting on the topic was on Nov. 5 with about 20 potential restoration partners participating.
"We plan to continue working with FDEP and the stakeholders toward an accelerated restoration process," Cassani said.
Cassani explained that examples of designated use would be: fish consumption, recreation, and propagation and maintenance of a healthy, well-balanced population of fish and wildlife. There are many parameters in Florida rules that are assessed for impairment. The most common are nutrients, metals, fecal bacteria, and dissolved oxygen.
Calusa Waterkeeper is collaborating with potential stakeholders toward restoring the waterbodies for the parameters that define impairment heading into 2021. The first meeting on the topic was on Nov. 5 with about 20 potential restoration partners participating.
"We plan to continue working with FDEP and the stakeholders toward an accelerated restoration process," Cassani said.
Photos provided by CONRIC pr + marketing.
