Environmentally Speaking is intended to alert, inform and educate residents of Collier and Lee counties about threats to our unique and delicate Southwest Florida ecosystem.
 

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), Earthjustice and the Center for Biological Diversity are hosting the Florida Fracking Summit on Wednesday, November 2, at the Florida Gulf Coast University Cohen Center, in Fort Myers. Free and open to the public, the summit will address hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking”, and its impact on the environment and Southwest Florida natural resources. Additional topics include current oil and gas laws, examples of local government actions and the future of fracking in Florida. FlFrackingSummit.org.

 

Awaken the Dreamer: Change the Dream Symposium. Happehatchee Center and the Tampa Bay Pachamama Alliance Community are sponsoring the symposium in Fort Myers on October 15. The event is intended to educate, as well as stimulate interest in Pachamama Alliance’s Game Changers seven-week online course, which can springboard the coordination of pro-activist game changers interested in supporting local pro-environmental activities such as the Southwest Florida Clean Water Movement, Stonecrab Alliance anti-fracking efforts, Sacred Waters Tribe ceremonies, etc.

For information, call Holley Rauen, 239-464-6556 or Gary Robbins 301-540-5899. Pachamama.org/Engage/Intensive.

 

Ellen Peterson Picnic Park on the Estero River is open. The new stop on the Great Calusa Blue Way Paddling Trail, where picnic tables, a dock and ramp are open to the public, commemorates the work of Lee County resident Ellen Peterson, founder of Happehatchee Center, in Estero, who devoted her life to preserving the environment.

 

A Green District for Collier County The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Naples Zoo and the Naples Airport Authority are working together to get a “green district” designation that will send a unified message about green offerings for visitors in Naples. More than $130 million in investments have been made or are planned to protect and improve Collier County's natural attractions. Naples city and Collier County officials, as well as the Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust are also involved.

 

Now or Neverglades Declaration Support the 200-plus Everglades scientists that believe increased storage, treatment and conveyance of water south of Lake Okeechobee is essential to stop the damaging discharges to the coastal estuaries; restore the flow of clean, fresh water to Everglades National Park, Florida Bay and the Florida Keys; improve the health of Lake Okeechobee; and protect the drinking water for 8 million Floridians living in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. [email protected].