Austin, J Robert Houghtaling and Brent Moyer perform for Caloosahatchee CLEER (create, learn, exchange, entertain and restore), a multi modal event to open conversations with the public about the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation‘s science and policy initiatives while creating community art pieces.
J Robert, Brent and Austin will be joining forces to raise awareness about the Caloosahatchee and the estuaries cradled by Sanibel and Captiva. Along with the music, SCCF scientists and policy staff will be on hand to answer questions about their studies and current issues in the water. The music is part of the larger Caloosahatchee CLEER — Create, Learn, Exchange, Entertain and Restore — where SCCF will encourage people to write to the decision makers in Tallahassee and the Water Management Board to make decisions that will reverse the damaging practices now affecting the Caloosahatchee and our beach and bay waters. The programs are free.
Four commissioned art pieces, shown above, will also be unveiled by acclaimed artist Xavier Cortada. (Click on the image to enlarge. All images copyright 2015 by Xavier Cortada and are made available through kind permission of the artist.) His pieces represent four animals that reside in the river and bay: Bottlenosed Dolphin, Largemouth Bass, and two lesser-known species that reside in our estuary and are among the scarcest in the world — the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle which spends some of its juvenile years feeding in the back waters, and the Smalltooth Sawfish which comes to the mouth of the river and has become a hot spot for research. This rare fish once ranged from the Carolinas to Texas; the Caloosahatchee is one of its last known birthing areas.
TONGUE OF POLLUTED WATER, REDFISH PASS, 2013
Note cards, postcards and pledge cards bearing the art work will be available for people to sign. Florida’s legislative session begins in January 2016 instead of the typical March start up. It is after all an election year. Lawmakers have the chance to be heroes of south Florida water decisions. Their leadership now can determine the future of our water for decades to come.
Connect with SCCF staff, the musicians and fellow islanders for a great time to be entertained and become engaged in the process. Help us unite our voices. Your personal messages will be delivered to decision makers in Tallahassee and regional meetings. Let you voice be heard!