One of Southwest Florida’s environmental icons passed away this morning.  Ellen Peterson served on the Agency for Bay Management, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, Save Our Creeks, the Responsible Growth Management Coalition, The Everglades Committee, the Environmental Peace and Education Center and the Sierra Club's Calusa Group.

She founded the Calusa group 30 years ago and remained the chairperson until her death.   

The Agency for Bay Management was formed as a result of a lawsuit about where FGCU would be built; Peterson was the only member who refused to sign off on the settlement agreement. She was responsible for saving Fisheating Creek and fought and won the battle to stop a coal-fired power plant from going into Glades County.  

Plans are being made for public services in Estero and at Fisheating Creek.

Ellen Peterson was 87 years old.