By Cameron Baxley, February 25, 2026:
Water is the lifeblood of Florida. It drives our economy, sustains our ecosystems, and defines our way of life — from the springs of North Florida to the shores of Biscayne Bay. Yet despite political promises of “historic investments” and “unprecedented action” to restore and protect our waterways, Florida’s water quality continues to decline.
The consequences are no longer abstract. In 2020, Biscayne Bay suffered a catastrophic fish kill driven by years of nutrient pollution. In 2021, Florida recorded its deadliest year for manatees in history, with over 1,100 reported deaths. Blue-green algae blooms choke Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns River. Red tide continues to plague our coastlines. And in our beloved natural springs, fertilizer nitrates are seeping through the ground, fueling algae growth that smothers native vegetation and drives away wildlife and tourists alike.
Nutrient and fecal bacteria pollution are among the leading culprits — and they don’t discriminate. Communities across the state, regardless of geography or income, are feeling the effects. This is no longer just an environmental issue. It is a public health crisis and an economic threat.
So what do we do about it? Waterkeepers Florida believes the path forward rests on three principles: we need science-based standards that actually measure whether our efforts are working; we need to stop pollution at its source before it ever reaches our waterways; and we need consistent, comprehensive protections for all of Florida’s waters — not just those in politically convenient locations.
That commitment to action was on full display recently when representatives from Apalachicola Riverkeeper, Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, St. Johns Waterkeeper, and Matanzas Riverkeeper traveled to Tallahassee to meet directly with members of both the House and Senate. Their conversations centered on bills filed during the current legislative session — bringing the voices of their local communities straight to the Capitol and making clear that Floridians across the state are watching, and they expect results.
Waterkeepers Florida is a coalition of all 15 Waterkeeper organizations operating across more than 45,000 square miles of Florida watershed, fighting for the more than 15 million Floridians who call it home. Part scientist, part teacher, part legal advocate — Waterkeepers know these waters intimately, and they speak for them relentlessly.
Florida’s water doesn’t have a vote. But you do. And together, we can demand better.
Cameron Baxley is Riverkeeper at Apalachicola Riverkeeper.
She can be reached at [email protected]