Copy of What We Do | CHNEP Website

The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) is working to prevent as well as to address existing water quality degradation in the CHNEP study area. We engage in numerous efforts to gather data, facilitate stakeholder discussions on water quality issues, and to develop consensus and science-based recommendations and solutions for improving water quality in our region.

CHNEP Water Atlas

The CHNEP Water Atlas displays current water quality trends to the public. This electronic resource will soon include a wide range of new information.

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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. Our scientists audit water quality sampling techniques for partner organizations, in order to ensure there are quality assurance checks in place so that data can be used by the state for water quality assessment, which in turn assists the development of pollutant limits and clean-up plans. Learn more about the Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network data on the CHNEP Water Atlas.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Nutrient Pollution

A priority of the CHNEP is to reduce nutrient pollution that fuels harmful algae blooms (incl. red tide and cyanobacteria green slime events). We are engaged in numerous projects that use technological and natural approaches to removing nutrient pollution. CHNEP worked with The Balmoral Group to develop and test a “dashboard” that will enable coastal resource managers to quantify the economic implications of HABs, and thereby assess the value of restoration investments or management actions in avoiding negative economic impacts.

Water Atlas

The CHNEP's Water Atlas website collects and analyzes water quality data from the various entities in our study area - making it publicly available so anyone can access to understand the condition of their waters.

In addition to the Water Atlas, the CHNEP is now creating periodic Water Quality Status Fact Sheets - easy-to-understand snapshots of nutrient and bacteria levels in each of the basins in the CHNEP study area. They also include updated lists of waterbodies that are currently not meeting water quality standards.

The hydrology in many areas of the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) has been heavily altered. The CHNEP is working with partners to collaborate on initiatives to restore more natural hydrology to many of our watershed. Below are a few of the initiatives we have been asked to lead and facilitate.

Alligator Creek Stream Restoration

The Alligator Creek restoration project will restore approximately forty acres of habitat in the Alligator Creek corridor of Sarasota County.

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The South Lee County Watershed Initiative is to restore flow ways and tidal creeks that flow into Estero Bay in southern Lee County. This Initiative also includes numerous state and federal agencies, stakeholders from two counties and two cities, and many other entities is to form regional water project. View fact sheet here.

The Charlotte Harbor Flatwoods Initiative is restoration of tidal creeks within the watershed that flows into Charlotte Harbor in Charlotte County. This Initiative also includes numerous state and federal agencies, two counties and a city, as well as other entities.

View fact sheet here.

The LeHigh Headwaters Initiative is restoration of the upper headwaters for the Caloosahatchee River, Orange River, Hickey’s Creek, Bedman Creek, and Estero River in Lee County. This initiative also includes numerous state and federal agencies, as well as other entities.

Florida's growing population and development has degraded and transformed much of it's natural habitat. Without proper habitat, plant communities and wildlife disappear. Ensuring the future of critical habitats in the CHNEP study area requires protection and restoration. Thus, fish and wildlife habitat restoration is one of CHNEP's primary objectives outlined in our Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan.

Habitat Restoration Needs Plan

The HRN Plan aims to enhance regional habitat restoration and mitigation efforts using the best available science.

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Oyster Habitat Restoration Project

CHNEP is directly engaged in habitat restoration activities, including working with partners to deploy nine oyster artificial reefs in the Tidal Peace River that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of new oysters and the filtration of tens of millions of gallons of water a day. Oyster restoration is an area that we work intensively on because it improves water quality, as well as habitat for water birds, fish, and other aquatic life.

Habitat Resiliency

The Habitat Restoration Needs (HRN) Plan was developed to help guide habitat management, connectivity, preservation and conservation, sustainability, restoration, and resiliency throughout the CHNEP area.

The Habitat Resiliency to Climate Change Project (HRCC) takes a closer look at what kind of impacts our watershed may experience given the most recent climate change and sea level rise science. This project aims to delineate habitat connectivity and provide resiliency solutions such as migration corridors.

Florida's growing population and development has degraded and transformed much of it's natural habitat. Without proper habitat, plant communities and wildlife disappear. Ensuring the future of critical habitats in the CHNEP study area requires protection and restoration. Thus, fish and wildlife habitat restoration is one of CHNEP's primary objectives outlined in our Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. Learn more about CHNEP's habitat restoration efforts below:

Conservation Grants

CHNEP provides small grants to community organizations doing local work under one of the CCMP Priority Action Areas.

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Habitat Resiliency

The Habitat Restoration Needs (HRN) Plan was developed to help guide habitat management, connectivity, preservation and conservation, sustainability, restoration, and resiliency throughout the CHNEP area.

The Habitat Resiliency to Climate Change Project (HRCC) takes a closer look at what kind of impacts our watershed may experience given the most recent climate change and sea level rise science. This project aims to delineate habitat connectivity and provide resiliency solutions such as migration corridors.

Florida's growing population and development has degraded and transformed much of it's natural habitat. Without proper habitat, plant communities and wildlife disappear. Ensuring the future of critical habitats in the CHNEP study area requires protection and restoration. Thus, fish and wildlife habitat restoration is one of CHNEP's primary objectives outlined in our Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. Learn more about CHNEP's habitat restoration efforts below:

What We Do: