• A Watershed Analysis of Permitted Coastal Wetland Impacts and Mitigation Methods with in the CHNEP

• Citizen Scientist Projects: Please help CHNEP develop a database of opportunities for the  public to become involved in citizen scientist projects.

• Numeric Nutrient Criteria: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing numeric nutrient water quality standards for Florida's waters, including lakes, flowing waters and estuaries. The CHNEP is proposing a data analysis plan to use in developing numeric nutrient criteria for the Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

• Science Fairs: In 2011, the CHNEP began recognizing students' science fair projects. The first award for a project that helps implement the program's plan to protect the environment was to Katie Thorp, an eighth grade student at Bonita Middle School in Lee County. The summer 2011 issue of Harbor Happenings (pg 5) provides more details.

• Coastal Focus: A Stewardship, Outreach and Education Program of the Coastal Wildlife Club in partnership with the CHNEP, funded by NOAA/FDEP Coastal Partnership Initiative

• Oil Spill in the Gulf: The CHNEP will provide links to credible sources of information and will help direct people to experts as well as organizations who are coordinating volunteers and donations.

• Peace River Environmental Education Network (PREEN)

• Mapping the shoreline: Volunteers have helped map the shoreline in 2007 and 2010.

• Charlotte Harbor Climate Ready Estuaries More information is provided when you follow this link. CHNEP has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a case study for local action to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems and economies from the potential effects of climate change. This is the first step in EPA’s new "Climate Ready Estuaries" effort to build local ability through its 28 national estuary programs to adapt to climate change. Five grants have been received by CHNEP from EPA to date. All five projects have been completed.

  • Charlotte Harbor Regional Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (PDF @ 2,923 KB)

  • Southwest Florida/Charlotte Harbor Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (PDF @ 5,141 KB)

  • Environmental indicators of climate change (addendum to report)

  • Workshop Utilizing Comprehensive Plans and Local Ordinances to Improve Community Resilience to Climate Change: May 27, 2010

  • Conceptual ecological models (CEM)

  Additional climate information:

  • Animation of Florida's shoreline over time (Thanks to Michael Faught and Steve Archer)

  • Climate Change Planning in Southwest Florida: presented January 20, 2011 to the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Audubon Society (PDF @ 4.5 MG)

• Reservoir Workshop: April 13-14, 2009. Thank you to everyone who participated. The presentations and report are now available. We are now completing the prioritized next steps.

• Florida-friendly yards

• Hendry Creek Basin Onsite Treatment & Disposal Systems: Implementing a Voluntary Homeowner Management Program and tips for maintaining a septic system

• Benthic invertebrate species richness and diversity at different habitats in the greater Charlotte Harbor system

• Want to learn more? This link will take you to a list of books for suggested reading that have been recommended by your neighbors.

Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program

1926 Victoria Ave

Fort Myers, Florida 33901-3414

     239/338-2556 ~ toll free 866/835-5785

Fax 239/338-2560

www.CHNEP.org

Osprey print (above) was painted by Diane Pierce.

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