By Alison McDowell, Executive Director, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is proud to launch the Protect the Basin campaign—an initiative designed to empower residents, businesses, and visitors to become everyday stewards of the Choctawhatchee Bay and its surrounding waterways.
At its heart, Protect the Basin is about transformation: turning awareness into action and concern into commitment. The campaign outlines four key steps that anyone can take to make a meaningful impact on the health of our waterways:
- Prevent Pollution
Our watershed starts in our backyards. We can stop pollution before it begins by reducing consumption, reusing and recycling, properly disposing of waste, and keeping harmful chemicals out of storm drains.
- Safeguard Habitat & Wildlife
Healthy ecosystems depend on mindful behavior. Good boating behavior includes respecting slow-speed zones, steering clear of sensitive seagrass beds, and using designated fishing line bins to help protect the diverse species that call our waterways home.
- Plant for Resilience
Nature knows best. Planting native vegetation along shorelines supports erosion control, filters runoff, and enhances water quality, creating a stronger, more resilient environment.
- Be Water-Wise
Small habits add up. Conserving water, minimizing fertilizer use, and capturing rainwater can dramatically reduce our impact on the basin’s delicate ecosystems.
“Protecting our waterways is a shared responsibility,” said Alison McDowell, Executive Director of CBA. “This campaign is about turning awareness into action because every small choice we make impacts the health of the Choctawhatchee Bay.”
The Choctawhatchee Basin is vital to our local environment, economy, recreation, and overall quality of life. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, you have a role in preserving this natural treasure.
We invite you to join the movement. Visit basinalliance.org/protect-the-basin to explore resources, find volunteer opportunities, and learn simple, practical steps to make a lasting difference.
Together, we can protect the basin—one action at a time.
