Environment Council
Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.
Environment Council Chair
jcoleman3@law.pace.edu
Our Mission:
We communicate reliable and accurate information to Engage Estero leadership, community officials, and citizens to make informed decisions and encourage community engagement. Collaborating with local, state, and national conservation organizations, we are active in many issues affecting greater Estero’s environment. We focus on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.
Our Purpose:
We exist to serve as the voice of the citizens of greater Estero. Fighting for what’s right and striving to right what’s wrong, we seek opportunities, offer solutions, challenge threats, and monitor local, county, and state government water quality and environment improvement actions and performance.
Our Values
Values essential to success and longevity:
- Integrity
- Open and honest communication
- Respect for other ideas and expertise
- Shared responsibility and resources
- Follow through on what you say you will do
- Care about what we are trying to achieve
- Innovation and creative thinking (open to doing things in a new way)
Our Vision:
To have an informed citizenry engaged in improving the quality of water and environment, resulting in a community that delivers related programs that affect our desired quality of life.

Southwest Florida Eagle Cam
Watch our local eagle nest, with a countdown to eggs hatching, courtesy of Dick Pritchett Real Estate. Click the image to be taken to the website.
Resources
Lee County: Our Water Story
Environment Campaigns…
Water Quality
DR/GR
Lake Okeechobee Releases
Algae Blooms
Red Tide
Flood Prevention
→
Wildlife Protection
Florida Panther
Sea Turtle Nesting
Manatee Protection
→
Limerock Mining
Protection of DR/GR
Traffic Impact
Blast Damage
→
Parks & Public Lands
Preservation
Access
→
Take Action
Right to Clean Water
Engage Estero needs your help supporting the Right to Clean Water Florida constitutional amendment before time runs out.How do I Help?In order to be on the ballot, the amendment must receive a set number of signatures from Florida registered voters. Click for petition...
Act Now: Protected Species at Risk
An environmentally sensitive site of 1,800+ acres in eastern Lee County, which is home to the endangered Florida panther and surrounded by preserves, is at risk of becoming a 781-acre mine pit, permanently removing habitats for state and federally protected species...
Featured Reports

Septic to Sewer
A primer on the dangers of septic systems to the Greater Estero area’s environment, and the changes coming in the next few years.
Seeking Volunteers
None at this time.
We don't have any articles on this topic at the moment.
Articles
We Are Poisoning The “Jewel” of Estero -Estero Bay-
We Are Poisoning The "Jewel” of Estero-Estero Bay-Many residents living in greater Estero are unaware that Estero Bay was the first aquatic nature preserve established in Florida in 1966. It is a 10,000-acre Florida State Park with water, inlets, and islands along a...
Our Residents’ Pride In Estero
Over this last weekend, Engage Estero’s Adopt a Highway Program volunteers collected 780 pounds of bagged litter and numerous wood/metal/plastic parts. The Florida Department of Transportation established the program, and our efforts helped clean Hwy 41 between the...
Adopt-a-Highway Program Re-Commences for the Season
The Adopt A Highway Program Has Been Re-Commenced Keeping Estero Looking Beautiful. Want to help? Engage Estero’s Adopt a Highway group of volunteers has embarked on a new season working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help clean Hwy 41 between...
Right to Clean Water
Engage Estero needs your help supporting the Right to Clean Water Florida constitutional amendment before time runs out.How do I Help?In order to be on the ballot, the amendment must receive a set number of signatures from Florida registered voters. Click for petition...
Engage Estero’s “Adopt A Highway Program” Reaches A Milestone in Rubbish and Debris Collection
Engage Estero’s “Adopt A Highway Program” Reaches A Milestone in Rubbish and Debris CollectionEngage Estero has been collaborating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) since October 2020 to help clean Hwy 41, between the Vines entrance (Breckenridge...
How You Can Protect Wildlife in Lee County
How You Can Protect Wildlife in Lee CountyMost people are familiar with the looming climate change crisis in the form of extreme weather events and natural disasters. However, human lives aren't the only thing at stake when discussing the need for climate action. As...
Adopt a Highway March 2023
Congratulations To Our Adopt A Highway Team And All Volunteers Keeping Estero's Roads Clean! The Engage Estero's team of volunteers collected 780 pounds of bagged litter and debris during the weekend of March 11th. Since early November, this season has amounted to...
Environmental Changes and Dangers to Our Water: GECR Quarter 1, 2023
Environmental Changes and Dangers to Our Water Engage Estero Is pleased to provide you with the first of four special reports we prepare each year. The environment and water quality remain at the top of greater Estero's residents' concerns. Many residents attended the...
The Dangers Associated with Septic Systems
The Dangers Associated with Septic SystemsEstero has changed dramatically since the first inhabitants settled in the early 1900s. These early settlement areas did not have sanitary sewer systems, and homes relied on wells and septic systems. Some of those holdover...
Estero’s Volunteers Recognized at Awards Ceremony
Estero's Volunteers Recognized at Awards Ceremony for Keeping Our Roads Clean On March 2, at the Keep Lee County Beautiful (KLBC) Environmental Stewardship Awards Ceremony, Estero volunteers were recognized as "Outstanding Adoption Groups" for removing tons of litter...
Get Involved
Find Your Representatives
Contact information for local, state and national legislators.
Volunteer
Engage Estero is made up entirely of volunteer residents, businesspeople, and you!
Invest
Your contributions protect the voice of Estero residents and enable action before it's too late!
Sign up to receive emails on important and urgent issues facing Estero.
Join the Movement
Protect Your Voice
Engage Estero provides action alerts, community news, and regular reports on issues affecting the quality of life in the greater Estero area. Sign up to be on the list.