Dear Friends & Supporters,
It’s hard to believe Captains For Clean Water turns 5 today. As I was thinking about the right words to say, I suddenly remembered the first letter I ever wrote to you in August 2016. Nothing seemed more appropriate for reflecting on why we exist today:
“I never thought I would start a nonprofit. I was perfectly content as a fishing guide – or at least I thought I was. Just six months ago, when Captains For Clean Water was founded, I had no idea where it would go or how fast it could grow. What I did know is that something was taken from me. Something very dear to me, something that shaped me into the man I am today.
The estuaries of South Florida have suffered tremendously due to deliberate water mismanagement in the Greater Everglades. I couldn’t stand to see this go on any longer, and I saw an opportunity to make a difference. Every day I am humbled by the opportunities that are presented to us, and thankful for the incredible support we have gathered in such a short time.
I’ve seen vast expanses of seagrass meadows wither away to barren mud flats in Florida Bay. I’ve seen the labyrinth of oyster bars that once spanned the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River die as a result of high volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee. I fished the St. Lucie River as a kid, only to return and find an estuary covered in green slime. I’m only 25 years old, a blink of an eye for Mother Nature, but what I’ve witnessed in my life is nothing short of heartbreaking.”
Read the full letter here.
Desperation and frustration are what got us started. Your support and encouragement are what keep us going. Most importantly…your involvement is what’s making a difference.
We’ve witnessed more progress toward fixing our waters in the past 5 years than we’ve seen in decades. How? In a nutshell…thousands of supporters, one unified voice, demanding one known, science-based, congressionally-authorized solution and holding policymakers accountable to deliver.
Clarity. Unity. Accountability. Of course, spreading awareness, inspiring involvement, and exposing corruption is part of the requirement, too.
Yes, the road is long. But nothing that’s worth it ever comes easy. Our mission is to restore and protect our waterways. Our promise to you is that we won’t stop fighting.
Thank you for standing with us. Without you, we’d just be a couple of pissed off fishing guides.