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.

Lee County Graphic Population Change since 1930
(PowerPoint-large file 12.4mb)

Today is


A big thanks to Gregg Poulakis and his associates at FWC for making the presentation on smalltooth sawfish at our October meeting and to Dr. Don Duke for making the arrangements at FGCU and with AWRA folks. Over 70 were in attendance and we learned a great deal on the current status of this endangered species in the Caloosahatchee Estuary.

 

SWFWC letter to BOCC regarding 2015-2016 Lee budget items for water quality remediation

John Cassani: Water reform in Florida is deja vu

SWFWC Letter to UF Water Institute on “Moving Water South”

NEWS

C-43 Reservoir: construction back on Caloosa Belle 1/25/16

Ranchlands Continue Successful Transformation to Wetlands

William E. Gibson reports for the Sun Sentinel – “Water concerns topped the list when 1,251 adults statewide were asked to name the biggest environmental problem facing Florida…The survey also found that two in three Floridians- 66 percent- believe the state should impose stricter environmental regulations. Even more, 72 percent, favor stricter water-quality rules.” Read Florida survey finds widespread water concerns

The Risks of Cheap Water NY Times 10/14

Florida Goes Down the Drain NY Times 9/14

Technical Review of Options to Move Water from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades (0914)