Protecting Estuaries
In The Water
The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) is working directly in Central and Southwest Florida waters to monitor water quality, reduce pollution, and restore aquatic resources such as oysters and seagrasses. Our staff and team of volunteer Citizen Scientists are creating cleaner waterways and better aquatic habitat for swimming, fishing and other water-based recreation and tourism activities.
Water Quality Monitoring
The CHNEP is a partner in the Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network, which collects and analyzes water samples from 60 randomly selected field sites throughout 10 waterbodies each month, including: Lemon Bay, Cape Haze/Gasparilla Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay and the Tidal Myakka, Peace and Caloosahatchee Rivers.
Seagrass Monitoring
The CHNEP provides support for regional seagrass monitoring efforts, who along with our partners conduct annual seagrass monitoring at 55 sites in 10 watershed including Lemon Bay, Cape Haze/Gasparilla Sound, Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay and the Tidal Myakka, Peace and Caloosahatchee Rivers. We also launched a Seagrass Gardening Project to restore a seed source for lost grass beds in the Tidal Caloosahatchee River.
Oyster Restoration
CHNEP staff and Citizen Scientists are working with partners to put more oysters in our waters, improving habitat and water quality. To learn more about our work on oyster restoration, click here.
On the Ground
The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) works, often alongside our partners, to assist restoration in the area's various watershed (the land mass that drains into a waterbody). This can be far upstream and inland.
Working holistically to restore or protect lakes and headwater streams improved not only the quality of life for those living along those waters, but for downstream communities and waters those drain eventually into.
Watershed Improvement
This short CHNEP Citizens Academy video talking about an upper watershed project that we were involved in with our Southwest Florida Water Management District and Polk County partners.
Though this project is near Bartow, approximately 120 miles from the coast, it improves the quality, quantity, timing and distribution of water flowing down to the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor estuary.
In Our Community
The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) together with our partners work everyday in our communities to educate and engage residents and visitors to protect water resources.
Water Stewardship
One of the foremost programs we fund and assist with in this regard is the Watershed Education Training - Ponds, Lakes & Neighborhoods (aka WETPLAN) program, which assists home/condo owner associations and individuals in improving the care of their neighborhood lakes and ponds.
To find out more about WETPLAN and how you can get involved, click on the icon to the left.