Our Mission
The purpose of the Environmental Council is to be knowledgeable of current environmental issues that potentially negatively affect the quality of life for residents of the greater Estero area and to counsel ECCL leadership on actions, options, and recommendations for improvement.
What we’re doing…
The ECCL 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.
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
Take Action: Right to Clean Water Legislation
The ECCL and Calusa Waterkeeper needs your help promoting the Right to Clean Water and the Florida Wetlands Protection amendment petitions to the state constitution before time runs out. Nearly 900,000 signatures need to be collected by November 30th to qualify the...
Important Water Quality Legislation in Florida’s House and Senate
Governor DeSantis appointed the Blue Green Algae Task Force in 2019 to âensure that objective and sound science informs Floridaâs environmental decision-making process.â They made their recommendations, and the resulting proposed legislation is currently being...
The DR/GR â What is it and why you should care about it
DR/GR stands for density reduction â 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...
Seeking Volunteers
Sewer Conversion Committee
ECCL Environmental Council Continue Reading Sewer Conversion Committee
Articles
Another Stellar Volunteer Clean-up Event Along Hwy 41 in Estero
The ECCL collaborates with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean an approximate four-mile section of the Tamiami Trail. Each month's work involves teams of volunteers who clean areas of the highway, between the Vines entrance (Breckenridge...
Unique way to improve water quality and habitats
This article by WINK news covers a unique use of manufacturing waste to improve our coastlines. "Sanibelâs shoreline is getting protected with help from overseas. Thanks to help from the Dutch government, scientists and volunteers on Sanibel Island installed...
The ECCL’s “Adopt a Highway Program:” A Fantastic Volunteer Achievement Benefiting Everyone in the Greater Estero area
As you may be aware, the ECCL has been collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) since October 2020 to help clean Hwy 41, between the Vines entrance (Breckenridge Road) north of Walmart and south to Coconut Road. During the weekend of December...
Pollution Notification: Right to Know
The ECCL believes residents have a right to know about pollutants in our waters. The Safe Waterways Act (SB 604 / HB 393) is designed to address this public health risk. We encourage our readers to learn more about this effort, and then contact legislators with your...
The Adopt a Highway program has been re-commenced to keep Estero looking beautiful. Want to help?
The ECCL has embarked on a new season working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41, between the Vines entrance (Breckenridge Road) north of Walmart and south to Coconut Road. In October, the team collected a total of 640 pounds of...
What We Know About the Quality of Southwest Florida Water â Isn’t Pretty
Water is essential to life, and in Florida, it is also an economic engine that fuels $94 billion in annual tourism spending and $12 billion in local and state sales, hotel, and excise taxes, according to Rockport Analytics LLC. When our waterways...
Microorganism’s Macro Impact
Corkscrew Road Wildlife Crossing Update
Work is planned to begin construction on a wildlife crossing across Corkscrew Road in October. It will be located approximately 1000 feet west of the entrance to Cypress Shadows Boulevard, which coincides with a regional flow-way that crosses under Corkscrew Road at...
Litter Harms the Environment
Litter is not just a land problem. Because storm drains empty into our local waterways with little to no filtering, any object tossed on the road, flying out of an open truck bed, or left in a yard can end up in our river, estuaries, and beaches.
Worth a Read: “Army Corps’ Choice of Plan CC for Lake O Presents Opportunity for Relief”
The Friends of the Everglades report that the Army Corps of Engineers has chosen a promising plan, but the need for advocacy is still urgent. âWhile weâre encouraged by the Army Corpsâ selection of Plan CC, the new Lake O playbook wonât be successful unless itâs...
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