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Citizens Partnership for Clean Canals Testing Again – Appealing for Volunteers

CPCC Committee Chair Karen McCague reports that testing has resumed following the hurricane hiatus thanks to grants from the Punta Gorda Rotary and the Marine Advisory Committee of Charlotte County. A recent appeal for volunteers to assist with delivering samples to the North Port lab and/or learning how to sample waters in our local canals was quite productive.

Volunteer Carl Peterson is readying the sampling pole to collect water samples. Volunteer Jim McCague is prepping the probe to take water quality indicator field measurements and CPCC Chair Karen McCague is recording field observations at the Riviera Bar and Grill dock. Photo by Deb Peterson.

If you would like to become involved and hear more about the opportunities that may arise in the future, add your name and email address here.

Learn more about water quality efforts in our community at Heal Our Harbor.

Citizens Partnership for Clean Canals (CPCC) water quality monitoring project 

Read September 2024 Water Quality Update HERE

TEAM has been awarded a Marine Advisory Council (MAC) grant in the amount of $26,000 to further testing of water quality in Punta Gorda canals. Click HEREfor more information. FOX4 News covered the project in a segment which can be seen here: WATERQUALITY

Pictured above: The Miami research team helping with the microbial source tracking for CPCC. From left to right, Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriel, University of Miami, Dr. Richard Whitman (HOH), Maribeth Gidley and Dr. Chris Sigalliano (NOAA). This group shares research experience of microbial source tracking over the last 30+ years.

TEAM Punta Gorda and Heal Our Harbor (HOH) volunteers recently completed Ambassador Training conducted by HOH to familiarize participants with environmental issues impacting Charlotte Harbor and the Punta Gorda canals.
With grant funding provided by platinum sponsor Punta Gorda Rotary Foundation, HOH and TEAM have formed a joint initiative called Citizens Partnership for Clean Canals (CPCC). Dr. Richard Whitman (HOH) and TEAM’s environmental volunteer and co-chair Karen McCague are providing leadership for CPCC as they monitor water quality within the Punta Gorda canals. Field measurements and water samples are collected on a monthly basis and sent to Charlotte County’s laboratory for analysis. Results are shared with Charlotte County Water Quality Manager Brandon Moody.
Volunteers interested in learning more and participating in the program are encouraged to contact TEAM at team@teampuntagorda.org.

PGI CANAL WATER SAMPLING PROJECT

TEAM Punta Gorda has been engaged in water quality issues for several years, recently collaborating with Charlotte County and Punta Gorda City officials and several non-profit organizations to improve the quality of our water.

These discussions opened the door to an opportunity for TEAM to jump onboard with a

Richard Whitman, PHD with Phyllis and Bruce Wojcik of Heal Our Harbor.

more hands-on approach which would include monitoring the water quality within the PGI canal system. The project would be orchestrated in conjunction with the City/County and non-profits who are currently engaged, including the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP), Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) and Heal Our Harbor (HOH).

This critical project, facilitated by TEAM, requires a team leader along with volunteers to collect samples.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the project, please contact TEAM’s office at 941-637-8326 or email team@teampuntagorda.org.