The Water School at FGCU

🚤🌊 Exploring Research in Action at Vester Field Station!

Recently, The Water School employees from main campus visited FGCU Vester Field Station to learn more about the important research, monitoring, and community engagement happening along Southwest Florida’s coast.

During the visit, the group got an inside look at the work being conducted at Vester and even headed out on the water to visit sampling sites firsthand. From water quality monitoring to coastal ecosystem research, the experience highlighted how Vester serves as a living laboratory for students, faculty, and researchers. 🌱🔬

🎓 Congratulations TWS Graduates! 💚💙

We want to celebrate the hard work, resilience, and accomplishments of our newest graduates from The Water School at FGCU!

From field research and internships to community engagement and hands-on learning experiences, these students have dedicated themselves to understanding and protecting the water, ecosystems, and communities that make Southwest Florida so unique. 🌎💧

We are proud of everything you’ve achieved and excited to see the impact you will make. Congratulations, Class of 2026! ✨

🎙️ New episodes of Your University: The FGCU Podcast are highlighting the incredible stories, research, and creativity happening at The Water School!

In one episode, Dr. Win Everham, Professor and Program Coordinator for Ecology & Environmental Studies, shares how sound is being used to track ecosystem recovery in Southwest Florida. The conversation explores citizen science, environmental stewardship, and the important role our community plays in restoration efforts.

🎧 Listen here: https://www.fgcu.edu/your-university/podcast/episode-1-win-everham

Another episode features Macy Noll, a dual-degree Art and Biology student and The Water School team member, who shares her journey from a ceramics class to installing clay sculptures on Kimberly’s Reef and conducting two years of underwater research. The episode highlights the intersection of art and science, and the power of creativity in environmental education. 🎨🌎

🎧 Listen here: https://www.fgcu.edu/your-university/podcast/episode-5-macy-noll

Take a listen and discover the people and ideas shaping the future of environmental research, education, and community engagement at FGCU. 💚💙

🌊 Only a few spots left for Vester Summer Camp 2026! ✨

Give your child a hands-on marine science experience they’ll never forget at the Vester Marine Science Summer Camp!

Campers will explore Southwest Florida’s coastal environment through:
🔬 Classroom, lab & field learning
🚤 Daily boat outings & beach trips
🦀 Biology, chemistry, geology & ecology activities
🎓 Mentorship from FGCU students

📅 Session 1: June 8–12
📅 Session 2: June 22–26

👥 Open to incoming 6th–8th graders
💲 Cost: $300

🔗 Register here: https://www.fgcu.edu/thewaterschool/student-research-opportunities/marine-science-summer-camp

🌊 Exploring Marine Science in Action

Students from The Water School recently visited Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for an immersive, hands-on learning experience!

During their visit, students explored cutting-edge marine research, observed aquatic life up close, and even got a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening beyond the exhibits.

Experiences like this help bridge the gap between the classroom and career pathways, giving students a deeper understanding of the work being done to protect our oceans and coastal ecosystems. 🌎💙

🌎💚 The Water School in the Community

The Water School always enjoys connecting with our Southwest Florida community and share our passion for protecting our environment.

In February, we joined the 24th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival at Rotary Park in Cape Coral 🦉

In March, we continued the outreach at Bonita Bay Nature Day in Bonita Springs 🌿

Events like these help us inspire curiosity, offer hands-on activities and converse about our region’s unique ecosystems. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn with us!

⏰ Just a Few Days Away! Final Moonlight on the Marsh of the Year 🌿🌙

Don’t miss the last event in this year’s William J. Mitsch Moonlight on the Marsh Lecture Series happening in just a few days!

🎙️ Featuring John Kominoski (FIU)
Lessons in disturbance and restoration from long-term ecological research: 25 years of the Florida Coastal Everglades

Explore how decades of research are shaping Everglades restoration and what it means for the future of South Florida’s coastal ecosystems—from water flow and nutrients to wildlife and sea-level rise. 🌊🌱

📍 Kapnick Center (Everglades Wetland Research Park) at Naples Botanical Garden | Room 126
📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – Reception
🕖 7:00 PM – Program

🌿 Community RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/Av32PWE2iD
🎓 FGCU Affiliate RSVP: https://getinvolved.fgcu.edu/event/12262259
🚌 Optional transportation available for students—See Eagle Link for more details

💧🎓 Student Spotlight: Jake Ahlstrom

Congratulations to Jake Ahlstrom, a graduate student working with Dr. Rachel Rotz, on earning a highly competitive internship with the United States Geological Survey FLOW Academy (Future Leaders in Observation of Water)!

This prestigious program is sponsored by the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology and hosted by the Alabama Water Institute at the University of Alabama.

Jake’s selection highlights the impactful research and dedication of The Water School students as they continue to grow as future leaders!

🌙🌿 Final Moonlight on the Marsh of the Year! 🌿🌙

Don’t miss the last event in this year’s William J. Mitsch Moonlight on the Marsh Lecture Series—an evening of science, storytelling, and coastal insight.

🎙️ Featuring John Kominoski (FIU)
Lessons in disturbance and restoration from long-term ecological research: 25 years of the Florida Coastal Everglades

Discover how decades of research are shaping Everglades restoration and what it means for the future of South Florida’s coastal ecosystems—from water flow and nutrients to wildlife and sea-level rise.

📍 Kapnick Center (Everglades Wetland Research Park) at Naples Botanical Garden | Room 126
📅 Thursday, April 9, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – Reception
🕖 7:00 PM – Program

🌿 Community RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/Av32PWE2iD
🎓 FGCU Affiliate RSVP: https://getinvolved.fgcu.edu/event/12262259

✨ Close out the series with us and be part of the conversation shaping our region’s environmental future.

🚨 We’re SO close—only 3 donors to go! 💙💚

We’re just 3 donors away from reaching our goal of 25 donors by noon today for FGCU Give Day 2026!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already given. Your support is helping The Water School provide hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to tackle real environmental challenges here in Southwest Florida. 🌱

Every gift, no matter the size, brings us one step closer and makes a real impact.

Help us cross the finish line before noon:
https://donate.fgcu.edu/g/water-school-give-day-2026