Water is one of south Florida’s greatest natural resources. At times of the year it is in surplus, enabling us to enjoy lush green landscapes and water-dependant recreational opportunities like golfing, fishing, boating, birding and swimming. An available surplus of water during the summer, coupled with ideal growing conditions, drives Florida’s nearly 2 billion dollar agricultural export economy.

At other times of the year water is scarce, stressing urban landscapes, reducing suitable habitat for wildlife and putting a financial strain on the state’s agricultural economy. Seasonal water availability is often compounded by water quality issues, especially nutrient run-off caused by fertilizers and petroleum based pollutants. Without clean coastal waters, Naples would not be known for its beautiful beaches that draw people from across the world and drive our local economy. Naples Botanical Garden strives to… Read More

Unlike so many parts of the world and even our own country we are very fortunate here in Naples to have constant access to affordable, clean drinking water. Our City-run utility serves around 70,000 customers, providing over 5 billion gallons of drinking water each year for personal consumption and use, then collecting, treating, and disposing of the wastewater produced.  Where does our water come from?  What happens to our wastewater?  What are the issues of concern? Click here to read Chloe Waterfield’s explanation of our water situation in Naples.

Where does our water come from?

Like most of Florida, we extract groundwater from the porous limestone bedrock just below our feet, which absorbs and conveniently stores our soaking rains. The major water source for the city is the Lower Tamiami aquifer; there are around 52… Read More

 Project Greenscape needs your ideas!  This is an innovative new program that will reshape the water quality here in Naples Bay!

As stated on their website, “Project Greenscape originated in response to the City of Naples’ desire to improve water quality in Naples Bay. It’s a partnership program between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Collier County, University of Florida/IFAS Collier County Extension Office, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the City of Naples. The main objective is to promote Florida Friendly Landscaping through implementing the City’s Landscaper Certification and strategic, science-based education.a partnership of government and environmental organizations, wants to create a Florida-Friendly Landscaping tour (either in-person or virtual) for Collier and Lee counties.”

 If you know of a house or community that demonstrates Florida-Friendly landscapes, please send the information to… Read More

If you want to know what you can do to help, please read this plea from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs of which we are a part:

Dear Environmentally Concerned FFGC Members,

Once again … we are challenged to be safeguards of Florida’s waters, our environment, and ultimately our economy. Once again … we are asking for your help and urge you to be involved and active.   

FDEP is briefing the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) November 3, 2011 in Tallahassee on their proposed 9/29/2011 Draft Changes to Chapter 62-302 – Florida’s numeric nutrient criteria. Your comments will be accepted prior to December 1.  

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is proposing rules for nutrient levels in Florida waterways which are even weaker than EPA recommendations.  Rules would: 1) allow the continued discharge… Read More

It was not a good summer for clean water. Algae blooms and fish kills popped up all over Florida, while agencies and legislative leaders backpedaled in support for strong nutrient pollution limits and swimmable/fishable water quality. The sewage, fertilizer, and other types of nutrient pollution that fueled these algae blooms and fish kills continue to spill from a host of different industries including phosphate production, paper and pulp, wastewater utilities, and agriculture. Those industries, in a rush to beat a federal deadline for numeric nutrient water quality standards, have mounted a three-pronged assault to defeat them.

The first strategy has been to use litigation to try to overturn the legal agreement between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental groups including the Conservancy. This agreement was what compelled EPA to set deadlines for when… Read More

Eileen Mann, chair of Environment/Conservation, suggests that the Care2 website www.care2.com might be of interest.

There is a guide to saving seeds and the always interesting Ask Annie column.  The website invites you to take action on things you care about and in turn provides you with “Butterfly Credits” for daily good deeds.  Redeem these credits for gifts that make the world a better place.  How can you loose when everybody wins?