Our Mission
To educate and advocate for the protection of Collier County’s natural resources. Whether addressing sea-level rise, the alarming rise of plastic pollution, alternative energy sources, supporting restoration of the Everglades, or smart growth, the Committee seeks to inform the public, engage public officials and collaborate with other allies to promote sustainable growth, protect our water resources and wildlife and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Program Plan 2025-2026
Resiliency in Response to Climate Change
- Educate ourselves, the Environmental Affairs Group, on ways to respond to the danger of rising heat levels. Work with the City of Naples as they identify heat islands during the coming season.
- Explore ways to collaborate with the Naples Botanical Garden to encourage government and citizens to plant native species, particularly shade trees and decorative plantings that require less water. Develop at least one collaborative activity within the next year.
Sea Level Rise
- Update training/presentation materials from ACUNE to ACUNE+ by March 1
- Hold training sessions on ACUNE+ for city and County staff (including new Deputy City Managers and City Council members. Provide private tutorials as requested. Likely to number 8-10 sessions.
- Work with the City of Naples, the City of Marco Island and Pelican Bay to use ACUNE+ for resiliency planning. Naples has completed a Vulnerability Plan and is in the process of obtaining input for their Resiliency Planning, similarly for Marco Island.
- Present ACUNE+ at 8-10 meetings to more completely inform residents of Collier County about the benefits of the tool to protect their property.
Water Quality
- Collaborate the Conservancy and other local NGOs to educate and advocate for improvement in local water quality responding to opportunities which might arise.
- Educate (incorporating the expertise of professionals such as the FGCU Water School and CREW) government officials, policy makers, stakeholders and the public on the direct and indirect impact and economic value of wetland ecosystems for smart decision making when considering conservation versus conversion of wetlands to development.
- Develop a strategy to publicize the findings of the recent report on the Economic Impact of Harmful Algal Blooms on health and the economy.
Everglades Coalition (EVCO)
Continue to be a member of EVCO to represent the State LWV and support environmental issues as they apply to the greater Everglades. Designated members of the EAC will attend the quarterly meetings of EVCO. All LWVCC members are encouraged to attend EVCO’s annual meeting.
Plastics Task Force
- Our mission is to reduce single-use plastic waste among residents, businesses and organizations in Collier County through education and advocacy.
- Education and Advocacy: Scale-up our outreach to other LWV Florida local Leagues, while continuing our “Take a Pass on Plastics” presentations to local civic organizations and NGOs.
League of Women Voters Collier County 2025 Annual Report.
- Collaboration/Partnership: Work to identify a working partnership with a larger organization, such as Oceana, to expand our influence on collective behaviors that reduce the utilization of single-use plastics.
Other
- Continue to monitor key developments related to the RLSA, electric charging stations, climate change, oil exploration and development in Big Cypress.
- Continue to monitor pending state and local legislation impacting the environment for action as appropriate.
- The Committee will also strive to support the natural resources state-level education and advocacy efforts throughout the year.