Settled in the 1800’s as a fishing pier, Charlotte Harbor is home to one of the largest estuaries in Florida. One of the most productive wetlands within the state of Florida, Charlotte Harbor spans almost 5,000 square miles and is known for its beautiful beaches.  

The largest bay between Charlotte Harbor and Tampa, Sarasota Bay has been named an estuary of national significance by the United States Congress. In recent years, the area has experienced an increase in its levels of fresh water due to urban runoff.  

The fifth largest of the Finger Lakes, Skaneateles Lake supplies drinking water to much of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Cortland Counties. With an area of almost 9,000 acres, the lake boasts several species of fish including salmon, bass, trout, and more. ¹  About 20 miles south of Syracuse, NY, Skaneateles Lake and its corresponding village of Skaneateles boast a largely tourism based economy enjoyed by sportsmen, nature enthusiasts, and families alike. 

This 4.6 square mile watershed, though once home to resorts and beaches, became a home to pollution and waste during the industrial heyday of Central New York. With swimming banned as early as the 1940s and fishing following in the 1970s, the efforts required to restore Onondaga Lake to it’s former glory are not small. ² However, thanks to the efforts of many within the state, Onondaga Lake is the cleanest it has been in one hundred years.