News

It’s possible to eliminate toxic discharges to the St. Lucie River entirely. The Army Corps of Engineers’ own modeling has demonstrated so. That’s big news for the estuary that suffers harm from any level of lake releases — and we need your help to make it a reality. Lake Okeechobee discharges have wreaked havoc on downstream ecosystems, crushed local businesses and statewide tourism, and sparked national conversation about the devastating human health consequences associated with harmful algal bloom exposure. We shouldn't settle for anything less than a new Lake Okeechobee management plan that eliminates toxic discharges to the northern estuaries. The Army Corps is giving us another chance to fight for that. What about the Caloosahatchee? A management plan that [...]

Halfway through the first term of Gov. Ron DeSantis, it’s time to take an honest look at progress from the self-proclaimed “Teddy Roosevelt conservationist.” We’ve seen a lot of fanfare celebrating the 2-year anniversary of DeSantis’ executive order calling for the advancement of water quality and Everglades restoration. But how much better off are we? Hailed by some as a massive accomplishment, the 2020 passage of a bill supported by DeSantis called the “Clean Waterways Act” failed to enforce real and lasting change based on the specific, science-based recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force. The trouble is, it doesn't hold Florida’s greatest polluters to clearly enforceable pollution standards. It’s no secret that agricultural pollution is the largest contributor of [...]

One of Governor DeSantis’ first acts was to replace Board members of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) who were closely aligned with the sugar industry. After dismal years of Rick Scott’s regime, Floridians breathed a sigh of relief, hoping the new Board would turn away from massive, taxpayer boondoggles and infrastructure projects in the name of the Everglades and our estuaries that benefit, first and foremost, Big Sugar. Unfortunately, Big Sugar continues to control the narrative, like a virulent pandemic, as evidenced by persistent harmful algae blooms, public health alerts and death of fish and wildlife along our beaches. The truth today is as bright and clear as it was 30 years ago: The only way to restore [...]

Don’t miss the global giving movement fueling clean-water advocacy TODAY ONLY! Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to use their individual power of generosity to remain connected and support their communities. It’s a day when everyone comes together to give back in unison for the causes they care about. We are asking you to help us leverage the energy of Giving Tuesday and providing an opportunity for you to support what you stand for. Every year, Bullsugar.org engages lifelong advocates on Giving Tuesday. That’s way more powerful than just collecting donors. In this time of uncertainty, one thing that gives us hope is that this crisis is catalyzing generosity like we’ve never seen before. Now that we're beyond the [...]

In the 2020 election season, volunteers from 14 counties came together under the leadership of Bullsugar board member, Blair Wickstrom, to launch the VoteWater campaign, a new effort of Bullsugar designed to identify clean-water candidates in Florida. It got noticed. VoteWater.org drew nearly 100,000 visitors over the course of four months as voters reviewed the clean-water voter guides before heading to the polls this election season. It is because of Floridians who Voted Water that the fight will continue with support and representation at key levels of government. Bullsugar board member and VoteWater county captain Wil Revehl noted that the counties of Lee and Martin topped the list of the most-visited voter guide pages. “Over 100 miles apart, these modest [...]

Our waters need your vote TODAY. Today is the final day to cast your ballots in the general election. It is the day where action speaks louder than words. Your votes today will impact the policies that govern our waters for years to come. Polls are open until 7:00 p.m., and anyone standing in line at 7:00 p.m. will be eligible to vote. Take one last look at our county-by-county voter guides available at VoteWater.org to see which candidates are best for our waters. Find out where you can vote today at https://gttp.votinginfoproject.org/. Frequently asked voting questions provided by the State of Florida: http://dos.myflorida.com/elections/contacts/frequently-asked-questions/faq-voting/.  Do something today that future generations will thank you for. #VoteWater We’re in this together.

Early voting hasn’t ended just yet! But you’re running out of time. Get out and #VoteWater, Florida! Depending on where you live in Florida, Saturday or Sunday are the last early voting days before the November 3 General Election. Those times and dates will vary from county to county. You can quickly check specific early voting information for your county by clicking here. The upcoming election results have the potential to take us one major step closer towards winning a political solution to Florida's water management crisis. If you haven't already, get out there and #VoteWater, as if our health, livelihoods, environment, and economy as a state depends on it (because it all does). Need a last-minute guide on who [...]

The moment we hoped would not come this year has arrived. With just days left in the typical rainy season, Floridians are bracing for damage from Lake Okeechobee discharges. Yesterday, the Army Corps of Engineers announced the start of polluted, Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries as an effort to stem the rapid rate of lake level rise. At 16.21 feet, the Corps claims it can no longer comfortably hold back releases without undue stress on the Herbert Hoover Dike. Just 19 days before the general election, it’s a painful reminder that our water management system fails to protect Florida’s precious estuaries, and the operational rules that govern releases of water do not yet account for [...]

Florida’s primary elections are just days away, on Tuesday, August 18. For those of you still on the fence, lean this way and listen. U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals are putting their stamp on the 2020 cycle, injecting millions of dollars through dark money PACs to help sway important races around the state. Bullsugar.org has confirmed that Rick Kozell, who is running for Florida House of Representative in District 82 covering northern Palm Beach and southern Martin counties, this week received nearly $50,000 from a dark money, sugar-funded PAC called “Florida Prosperity Fund.” “This should alarm anyone in this district, which is ground zero for the massive toxic discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie estuary,” said Dave Preston, [...]

We've got signs! Shipments of VoteWater yard signs have been sent out to County Captains across the state and we are working on making pick up locations available. Keep checking back--confirmed locations and times and/or contacts are listed below and will continue to be updated. Send us photos of your support for the VoteWater movement! There's no greater endorsement in communities than from the people who live and work there. We'd love to see photos of your signs in front of your homes, businesses, boats, and smiling faces! Send your photos to yardsigns@bullsugar.org so that we can feature support for voting water from all around the state. Please send specific inquiries to yardsigns@bullsugar.org LEE/COLLIER COUNTY Signs are now available behind [...]