Lee County’s waterways are at the heart of Southwest Florida’s lifestyle, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking and enjoying the outdoors. On Saturday, October 31, 2026, Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc. (KLCB) will bring the community together to help protect these treasured resources during the annual Monofilament Madness Marine Cleanup.
Since 1991, Monofilament Madness has focused on removing discarded fishing line and other marine debris from the Estero Bay area. Fishing line can become tangled in mangroves and pose a serious threat to birds, fish and other wildlife. Plastics, Styrofoam, netting and larger debris can also make their way into our waterways and sensitive coastal habitats.
This year volunteers will launch from Salty Sam’s Marina on Fort Myers Beach. Boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders will travel through Estero Bay, collecting trash and debris from waterways and mangrove shorelines. Paddlers are especially helpful in reaching shallow areas and mangrove locations that larger boats cannot easily access.
For those who prefer to stay on land, Tunaskin Aquatic Apparel will once again host a walking cleanup from its Fort Myers Beach store. Volunteers will collect litter along the beach and surrounding areas, allowing the cleanup to make an impact both on and off the water.
Each year the event brings hundreds of volunteers working by boat, kayak, paddleboard and on foot. Together, crews tackle hard-to-reach areas throughout Estero Bay and Fort Myers Beach, showing the significant impact a dedicated group of volunteers can make in just one morning.
“Monofilament Madness is a great example of community stewardship in action,” said Trish Fancher, Executive Director of Keep Lee County Beautiful. “Whether you’re collecting fishing line from the mangroves or picking up litter along the beach, every volunteer plays an important role in protecting our wildlife and coastal environment.”
After the cleanup, all volunteers are invited to an appreciation lunch to celebrate their hard work and the collective impact made throughout the day. It’s an opportunity to relax, connect with fellow volunteers and celebrate another successful cleanup.
For more than three decades, Monofilament Madness has been a Lee County tradition, giving boaters, anglers, paddlers, businesses and residents a hands-on opportunity to give back and help preserve the waterways that make Southwest Florida so special.
Local businesses and organizations can also support the event through sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorships help provide the supplies and resources needed to make Monofilament Madness possible while giving businesses an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to protecting Lee County’s waterways and coastal environment. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels, making it easy for businesses of all sizes to get involved.
KLCB invites the community to join us on Saturday, October 31st, and be part of this unique Lee County tradition. Whether volunteering on the water, walking the beach or supporting the event as a sponsor, there are many ways to help keep fishing line out of our mangroves, litter out of our waterways and Lee County’s wildlife safe.
For registration information, additional event details, and to become a sponsor visit https://www.klcb.org/events/monofilament-madness/
ABOUT KEEP LEE COUNTY BEAUTIFUL
Keep Lee County Beautiful, Inc., established in 1989, is the county’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This local nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For more information, call 239-334-3488 or visit http://www.klcb.org, find us on Eventbrite, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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