Our Mission
The purpose of the Environment Council (EC) is to serve as the voice of the residents of greater Estero to improve environmental quality. Fighting for what’s right and striving to right what’s wrong, it seeks opportunities, offers solutions, challenges threats, and monitors local, county, and state government environment performance. It communicates reliable and accurate information to ECCL leadership and residents to make informed decisions and encourage community engagement.
Collaborating with local, state, and national organizations and other conservation organizations, the ECC will be active in many issues that affect greater Estero’s environment, including but not limited to:
- Improved water quality
- Improved air quality
- Mitigating the effects of climate warming
What we’re doing…
The Engage Estero Environment Council monitors threats to Southwest Florida habitats, wetlands, water quality, wildlife and any issue that affects the quality of the environment affecting Estero. We work with agencies including The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, and others to inform residents of actions they can take to preserve and protect our paradise.
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam
Watch our local eagle nest, with a countdown to eggs hatching, courtesy of Dick Pritchett Real Estate. Click the image to be taken to the website.
Resources
Lee County: Our Water Story
Environment Campaigns…
Water Quality
DR/GR
Lake Okeechobee Releases
Algae Blooms
Red Tide
Flood Prevention
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Wildlife Protection
Florida Panther
Sea Turtle Nesting
Manatee Protection
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Limerock Mining
Protection of DR/GR
Traffic Impact
Blast Damage
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Parks & Public Lands
Preservation
Access
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Take Action
Act Now: Protected Species at Risk
An environmentally sensitive site of 1,800+ acres in eastern Lee County, which is home to the endangered Florida panther and surrounded by preserves, is at risk of becoming a 781-acre mine pit, permanently removing habitats for state and federally protected species...
The DR/GR – What is it and why you should care about it
DR/GR stands for density reduction – groundwater resource. It is a large area of land (over 80,000 acres) just east of Estero that was established jointly in 1990 by the State of Florida and Lee County with the specific purpose of protecting the principal water supply...
Featured Reports
Septic to Sewer
A primer on the dangers of septic systems to the Greater Estero area’s environment, and the changes coming in the next few years.
Seeking Volunteers
None at this time.
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Articles
Volunteers Continue to Keep Hwy 41 in Estero Looking Pristine!
Volunteers Continue to Keep Hwy 41 in Estero Looking Pristine! The ECCL will, on February 1st, officially become "Engage Estero." Since October 2020, we have collaborated with the Florida Department of Transportation's Adopt-A-Highway Program to help...
Great Results from the Second Adopt-a-Highway Season
The Adopt a Highway Program has Re-commenced its Third Season to Keep Estero Looking Beautiful Want to help? The ECCL has embarked on its third season collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41 between the Vines entrance...
How Greenhouse Gases Threaten Our World from CBS Sunday Morning.
https://youtu.be/El2vWfFrn8sApril Sets Record For Highest CO2 Levels In Human History Andrew Freedman, author of Axios Generate Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached the highest levels on record for any calendar month during April, averaging 420 parts per...
Act Now: Protected Species at Risk
An environmentally sensitive site of 1,800+ acres in eastern Lee County, which is home to the endangered Florida panther and surrounded by preserves, is at risk of becoming a 781-acre mine pit, permanently removing habitats for state and federally protected species...
Great Results from the Second Adopt-a-Highway Season
The second ECCL "Adopt a Highway" season has officially and successfully concluded. The ECCL and Julie Yellig, who organized the program in 2020, would like to thank all those volunteers who have participated in helping clean Hwy 41 in Estero. Volunteers from over 30...
More Volunteers are Stepping up to Keep our Greater Estero Roads Free from Rubbish
Through the efforts of the ECCL's Adopt A Highway volunteer team this month, 520 pounds of litter was collected from Hwy 41. This month brings this season's total to 3,760 pounds and the total since October 2020 to a staggering 8,800 pounds (4.4 tons). Volunteers over...
Spotlight Features ECCL Role in Protecting Estero’s Environment
On March 1, 2022, Spotlight News Magazine featured the ECCL's role in protecting Estero's environment, in this article by Jeff Lytle.
Estero’s Hwy 41 Is Much Cleaner This Weekend! More Than 740 Pounds of Rubbish Removed!
The ECCL is pleased to report another extraordinary effort from volunteers helping clear the rubbish along an Estero section of Hwy 41 this weekend. That brings this season's total - starting in October 2021 - to 3,240 pounds, and our total since October 2020 to 8,280...
Featured Volunteer: Julie Yellig
In 2019, Julie approached the ECCL to consider adopting Hwy 41 in Estero through the FDOT Adopt a Highway program, and the program commenced in October 2020. More than 4 tons of litter have been collected since the program began. Continue Reading Featured Volunteer: Julie Yellig
Southwest Florida’s Waterways Are Screaming For “Help”. Are We Poisoning Our Water?
Many do not know that our deteriorating water quality is impacting the health of our economy and the residents of Estero and Southwest Florida. The ECCL has a significant role in bridging this education gap. We collaborate with other local groups such as the Calusa...
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Contact information for local, state and national legislators.
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