{"id":43298,"date":"2019-06-05T15:38:27","date_gmt":"2019-06-05T19:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/?p=43298"},"modified":"2019-06-05T15:38:43","modified_gmt":"2019-06-05T19:38:43","slug":"summit-to-discuss-public-health-risks-of-harmful-algal-blooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/2019\/06\/summit-to-discuss-public-health-risks-of-harmful-algal-blooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Summit to discuss public health risks of harmful algal blooms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Calusa Waterkeeper assembles experts concerned about SWFL water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A serious threat to the health of all Southwest Floridians lurks in the water. Calusa Waterkeeper invites the public and healthcare professionals to a public water summit on Monday, June 24 about the health effects of harmful algal blooms. The event, called \u201cPublic Health Alert – Florida Water,\u201d runs from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre on 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPublic Health Alert \u2013 Florida Water\u201d will include a screening of the groundbreaking documentary \u201cToxic Puzzle,\u201d narrated by Harrison Ford. An expert panel, including two scientists featured in the documentary, will discuss why harmful algal blooms have become a public health concern, where to find key information as the threat evolves, and what Southwest Florida residents can do to help safeguard themselves and their families while fighting for change. A question-and-answer session with the experts will follow the panel presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe health risks are becoming more apparent as new scientific research emerges,\u201d Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said. \u201cWe\u2019re doing everything we can to get the word out and let everyone know what they can do to make a difference in this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panelists include Cassani and two University of Miami scientists: Dr. Walter Bradley, chair emeritus of the university\u2019s neurology department, and marine biology and ecology professor Dr. Larry Brand, both of whom were in \u201cToxic Puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe public is just beginning to understand the scale of the problem we face,\u201d Calusa Waterkeeper Executive Director K.C. Schulberg said. \u201cWith each passing month, we learn more about the potentially horrendous impact, not just to our environment and marine life, but to the health of our fellow residents. There is urgency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is funding the program through a grant awarded in response to an inquiry from Calusa Waterkeeper President-elect Ruth Watkins. A second public forum set for Aug. 5 will feature the world premiere of an original documentary on the subject that Calusa Waterkeeper is producing entitled \u201cTroubled Waters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A buffet dinner is included in the $20 ticket price for the June 24 event, with proceeds going toward the nonprofit Calusa Waterkeeper\u2019s scientific research and educational outreach efforts. Tickets are available at https:\/\/bit.ly\/2wAkgim<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Email Schulberg at kc@calusawaterkeeper.org <\/a>to find out how to get involved. To keep tabs on Southwest Florida\u2019s water, visit calusawaterkeeper.org<\/a> and facebook.com\/calusawaterkeeper<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Calusa Waterkeeper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) is a donation, member and grant-supported Fort Myers-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to \u201cProtect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.\u201d CWK\u2019s project area covers more than 1,000 square miles, and its work includes testing and reporting, regulatory advisories, educational and community outreach, and public advocacy. CWK is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, the largest and fastest growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water, with more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.
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Calusa Waterkeeper assembles experts concerned about SWFL water A serious threat to the health of all Southwest Floridians lurks in the water. Calusa Waterkeeper invites the public and healthcare professionals… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":43299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[128],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43298"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43298"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43298\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}