CGT Kayak Water Clean Up
9/27/2025 8:00 to 10:00
Location
Imperial River Dock
Speakers
-
John Paeno - Owner of CGT Kayaks
Summary
Come out before the event officially starts and take advantage of a free kayak rental. CGT is very passionate about having clean waterways free of debris and garbage. Annually they donate kayak rentals to those who are willing to come out and volunteer to pick up trash while exploring the Imperial River. Trash bags and life jackets are also provided.
FGCU Water School
9/27/2025 10:00 AM - 10:30
Location
Main Stage
Speakers
-
Dr. Greg Tolley - Prof. of Marine Science
Summary
The brand new Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University was created to focus on issues that affect water quality. Because of the unique location of FGCu, the water school is perfectly positioned to focus on water-based issues not only from the view of water health, but also how our water impacts the economy, ecosystems and tourism. This state-of-the art facility will house students from marine and ecological sciences, biology, engineering and business. Students will study how to remediate and restore. When SWFL made national news with the fish kill, the need for a solution to blue green algae and red tide was abundant. FGCU will collaborate with partners local and internationally as well as other non-profits and governmental agencies.
Calusa Water Keepers
9/27/2025 10:30 to 11:00 PM
Location
Tent 1
Speakers
-
John Cassani - Ecologist
Summary
Formed in 1995 as a non-profit organization to protect numerous bodies of waters in Lee & Charlotte County, these private citizens work to educate and promote responsible use of our waters. One task that Calusa Waterkeepers do is monitoring. A group of volunteers go out and collect samples which are sent in for analysis. The date collected is shared with the community as well a government officials. The logo for Calusa Waterkeepers is a smalltooth sawfish. This fish is listed as a critically endangered species that lives in shallow subtropical estuaries like SWFL. This organization does its part to protect this fish and its pupping areas in the back bays to help avoid extinction. Because community collaboration is so important, many organizations are interconnected when it comes to this important topic of water quality. Calusa Waterkeepers works alongside 40 other organizations like the Environmental Confederations of Southwest Florida.
Don't Feed the Monster
9/27/2025 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location
Tent 2
Speakers
-
Keep Lee County Beautiful - Water Advocate
Summary
Don't Feed the Monster is a campaign by Lee County to teach the public how to fertilize smart. By doing so, you can do your part as a citizen to protect our water ways. In the rainy season, nutrients in fertilizer run off into our waterways and feed algae and increase the algae blooms. During June 1 to September 30, Lee County Ordinance 08-08 prohibits the use of fertilizer. Fertilizer contains phosphorus and nitrogen that is harmful to our waterways. There are several tips that you should think about when utilizing fertilizer during safe times. They include sweeping up spills instead of rinsing with a hose to avoid placement into storm drains. A second tip is to avoid fertilizing if rain is in the forecast. Third, do not fertilize within 10 feet of a waterway and keep it off of surfaces that are impervious like concrete. Do your part, fertilize smart!
Kids STEM Learning Station
9/27/2025 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location
Tent 2
Summary
Have kids learn about the importance of water quality through a series of activities. Our fishing expedition in a kiddie pool will allow kids to differentiate the difference of finding good items in the gulf like fish and sea life versus trash. At the art station they can paint their hearts out with our underwater sea mural. Working with a STEM teacher, they will do an experiment with oil and water and have the discussion of why the two don't mix and relate that to oil and gasoline spills.
Rink to Reef Program
9/27/2025 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Location
Tent 1
Summary
Did you know that hockey sticks are made from non-recyclable materials? Instead of them winding up in a landfill, FGCU has developed a partnership with Florida Everblades to put broker hockey sticks to good use. Utilizing sticks, monofilaments fishing line and a plastic netting, the sticks are assembled to make a habitat for oyster larvae to attach to and mature. Many oysters will mature on this new reef and then filter the waterways of pollutants. Just one adult oyster can filter fifty gallons of water per day. A single Rink2Reef habitat can clean 20,000 gallons per day because it can hold up to 400 oyster on the 9.17 cubic foot reef. FGCU is always looking for community partners to donate, sponsor, purchase or build a reef.
Powered By GrowthZone