Conservationists by Nature

With its abundant natural beauty, Southwest Florida has long been a haven for naturalists and lovers of the outdoors. As our region’s natural wonders attract more residents and additional development, striking a balance between growth and preservation remains one of our community’s greatest ongoing challenges.

From academia to wildlife care to environmental advocacy, this month we spotlight three local organizations working at the forefront of conservation and land use management.

The Water School

The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring water and environmental issues that affect our community, our state and the world. Tourism, growth, development, agriculture and recreation depend on healthy ecosystems and aquatic environments. That’s why Southwest Florida needs experts who can focus on key impact areas, study the problems from multiple perspectives, identify emerging issues, help find sustainable solutions and train nextgeneration experts to take the reins.

The comprehensive nature of The Water School allows FGCU to focus on areas critical to our water-driven world, such as climate change, coastal resilience and ecosystem health, restoration and remediation. Its holistic approach focuses on the environmental sciences and draws in the social and health sciences, business and engineering.

With state-of-the-art research and learning facilities on campus and in the community, The Water School provides students with the professional preparation they need to tackle real-world problems.

Launched in 2019, the school has positioned the university as a leading, independent source of environmental and scientific knowledge. Through outreach and education programs in local communities, The Water School helps create a more waterliterate society.

Learn more: fgcu.edu/thewaterschool

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a teaching hospital and visitor education center dedicated to saving wildlife through state-of-the-art veterinary care, research, education and conservation medicine.

CROW treats all native and migratory wildlife species every day, 365 days a year, by offering immediate onsite critical care such as pain management, surgery, physical therapy and radiography, while also providing long-term rehabilitation. Each year, CROW admits over 6,000 wildlife patients from all over Southwest Florida, including more than 200 different species of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

As a teaching hospital, CROW educates nearly 50 students annually who are pursuing careers in animal medicine. Along with educating the next generation of wildlife professionals, CROW imparts knowledge to the public through outreach programs in schools and at community events and at the AWC Visitor Education Center with daily presentations, wildlife walks, guided hospital tours, and interactive exhibits. Our numerous visitors learn about sustainable wildlife relationships and the connectivity between wildlife, environmental and human health.

In the wake of the devasting effects of Hurricane Ian, CROW never stopped caring for wildlife. Shifting to a temporary hospital off-island, CROW’s hospital remained opened until its Sanibel Island campus reopened. The Visitor Education Center and gift shop are also open Monday through Friday, providing fun and education for adults and children alike.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CROW, relies on the generous support of volunteers and donors to care for and conserve wildlife.

Captains for Clean Water

Captains For Clean Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems for the use and enjoyment of all. The organization was formed in 2016 by a small group of fishing guides who saw firsthand the limitations of existing water management policies.

As a grassroots, digital advocacy organization, with over 146,000 supporters spanning all 50 states, Captains for Clean Water works to increase awareness and support for water issues; increase public education and engagement with advocacy; and mobilize mass action to influence water policy and management outcomes.

The group has been at the forefront of Florida’s high-stakes, ongoing policy debates over water quality, leading to significant progress in Everglades restoration since its formation.

Key to its success: translating discussions about water quality into economic and quality of life terms, so policymakers can see the broader importance of clean water as the lifeblood of Florida’s economy.

Captains for Clean Water concentrates its efforts on three focus areas: water management, infrastructure and nutrient pollution. Its vast network of supporters includes legendary anglers, fishing guides, global outdoor brands and marine manufacturers, including YETI Coolers, The Orvis Company, Costa Sunglasses, Hell’s Bay Boatworks, SeaDek Marine Products, Pure Fishing Brands and more.

For more information, visit captainsforcleanwater.org