News Briefs - Naples Florida Weekly

Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.

Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.

Werking on water quality and new habitats

Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp., an Illinois and Florida based general contracting company specializing in blue-green infrastructure, has started discussions with the city of Marco Island to form a public-private partnership to improve water quality and restore critical wildlife habitat throughout the island’s canals.

The proposal is the Marco Island Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Initiative.

In 2018, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection declared the canals impaired due to increased nutrients in the waterways. A city consultant, Environmental Research and Design, estimated that a traditional maintenance dredge of the canals would cost approximately $189 million.

On Sept. 23, Marco Island City Council showed broad support for a potential unsolicited public-private partnership following a presentation by Dan Davies, the owner of Earthwerks and a part-time Marco resident.

The C-HAWQ Initiative aims to assist in obtaining funding to dredge the 100 miles of Marco canals and use that dredged sediment to design and build approximately 33 new island habitats. Oyster reefs will be installed with mangroves and other native species to be planted to improve water quality, storm resilience, enhance biodiversity, and provide 100 additional acres of natural space to Marco Island.

Earthwerks estimates the project will take two years to complete after permitting with the total cost to be negotiated at a not to exceed with the city.

COURTESY PHOTO

Haas, Jacobsen to play in Immokalee Foundation’s golf tournament

The Immokalee Foundation has announced headliner Jay Haas alongside Peter Jacobsen and more for the 2024 Charity Classic Pro-Am Golf Tournament on Nov. 17 and 18.

The popular signature event will feature a Pairings Party on Nov. 17, and a Pro-Am Tournament on Nov. 18. Both will be held at Bay Colony Golf Club.

Participants in the tournament will have the opportunity to play alongside Haas and Jacobsen and almost two dozen celebrated golf professionals. Local philanthropist Don Fites will chair this year’s event in honor of former Immokalee Foundation board member Peter Negri.

“As a longtime supporter of The Immokalee Foundation, Peter Negri’s impact is still being felt,” said Immokalee Foundation President and CEO Noemi Y. Perez. “He played such a powerful role in the Foundation’s growth and development, and we are honored to host this popular annual event in his memory. It was one of his favorites.”

The funds raised at the Pro-Am will support various Foundation activities, including the award-winning Career Pathways program. For more info, visit Immokaleefoundation.org/Pro-Am.

Freedom Institute honored as Yass Prize semi-finalist

A Collier County school is being honored for the opportunities it provides local students.

As a personalized high school dedicated to student rights, The Freedom Institute was named one of 25 semifinalists for the Yass Prize for Education Freedom. The Naples school will receive a minimum of $200,000 to grow and expand its program.

The Yass Prize, also known as the Pulitzer of Education, celebrates educational providers who advance the four core S.T.O.P. principles: Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless education.

“School needs to look different and this new cohort is the single best example of excellence and transformational innovation our country has to offer,” said Caroline Allen, vice president of the Yass Prize.

Freedom was founded in 2023 and offers a learning model tailored to each student’s unique interests and college-career aspirations. Just one year after opening its doors, it nearly doubled its enrollment to 90 students. Now, due to its skyrocketing popularity, the independent high school is looking to expand its academic model.

The Freedom Institute’s CEO, Chris Marker, says Freedom is honored to be a semifinalist for such a prestigious award.

“There are so many amazing programs and educators working tirelessly to improve the lives of our students through innovation and building a better path; to be considered one of them is an incredible affirmation of our students’ success and growth toward economic freedom,” he said.

Marker joined the other semifinalists in New York City on Sept. 11 to accept the semifinalist award. The overall winner will be announced Nov. 7 and will receive $1 million. ¦

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Δ