SWFL organizations launch first-ever business leadership program focused on water quality

The Preserving Paradise program is a bold step toward aligning business leadership with environmental stewardship. By keeping water quality front and center, we're tackling a major challenge that’s significantly impacting our community, while empowering leaders to drive meaningful change. This program is a valuable step toward securing a healthier environment and a stronger economy for Southwest Florida.

Capt. Daniel Andrews, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Captains For Clean Water

Through this program, community leaders are gaining a deeper understanding of the water quality issues that directly impact their businesses and organizations. We're proud to be partnering with Captains For Clean Water, the Everglades Foundation, and the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber in this effort to enlist key stakeholders in our collective goal of protecting our coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies.

James Evans, CEO at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

The Everglades Foundation is proud to have joined our partners in bringing Everglades restoration to Southwest Florida’s business leaders. Businesses depend on a restored Everglades in order to thrive. Our team of scientists, advocates and educators are honored to join other experts in engaging those who are essential to the success of Everglades restoration for the future of our state. We look forward to working with a broad coalition of Southwest Florida leaders in preserving our paradise.

Eric Eikenberg, Chief Executive Officer at the Everglades ​Foundation

This one of a kind leadership program immerses our businesses leaders into the resource that drives our SWFL economy, our water. It not only allows them to build an understanding of the fragile nature of the ecosystem and how they can be better stewards, but gives them working knowledge of the outside pressures on the system, the Everglades restoration projects underway to alleviate those pressures, and the tools to be personal advocates for water quality. This program highlights the fact that our economy is directly tied to our ecology.

John Lai, President and CEO at the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce

Preserving Paradise isn't just about saving our waters; it's about saving our way of life. From fishing, to tourism, to our businesses and our community, clean water is our economic lifeline.

Scot Burris, CEO at Storm Smart

When we talk about Southwest Florida—what draws and keeps us here, what makes this place special—it all comes back to the natural wonders surrounding us. We're at a critical point of Everglades and water quality conservation, and engagement is crucial. I joined Preserving Paradise to learn more about the challenges and opportunities we face—I don't want to be caught in a conversation where I can't articulate the urgent need for action to inspire someone else to get involved. As a journalist, I want to be an informed advocate for the paradise we call home. Plus, being a part of the program gets me to leave the office every couple of weeks and immerse myself in the best aspects of our community, surrounded by like-minded eco-warriors. 

Stephanie Granada, Editor in Chief at Gulfshore Life

As the GM of the Pink Shell Beach Resort, I believe that ensuring the highest water quality is crucial for both our guests' enjoyment and the long-term health of our beautiful Gulf Coast environment. Clean, safe water is essential for swimming and water activities that our visitors and locals cherish. By prioritizing water quality, we protect not only the health and safety of our guests and employees but also the natural beauty that makes Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina a premier destination. Our commitment to pristine water ensures that our resort remains a vibrant, inviting place for generations to come.

Bill Waichulis, GM at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

The very bedrock of both our economy and our quality of life here in Southwest Florida is clean, usable beaches and waterways. I feel like Preserving Paradise is helping business leaders become better participants in ensuring this critical foundation of our local economy is not compromised.  

Chris Davison, Vice President and GM at the Island Inn

Shalimar Beach Resort has always depended on good water quality, guests from all over the world do not fly to stay with us to be cooped up inside their hotel unit. They want to explore, experience the beach, enjoy the shelling, go fishing, go on boating trips, explore the beautiful island and all it has to offer! We are the stewards for them when they return home. So that next time they return they can enjoy the same experiences and share it with their family and friends. And to do that we needed a program like Preserving Paradise. We needed to find our voice and this is exactly what the program has done. We now can ask the tough questions and push for the smart legislative decisions to ensure we can continue our way of life. We live here, play here, spend here, and we want our kids and future generations to do the same. To do that we have to stand up united and share our message of the importance of good water quality!

Sean Niesel, Owner of the Shalimar Beach Resort