Water Quality Program Acquires New Electric Truck
Monitoring Just Got a Whole Lot Greener!
Suncoast Waterkeeper is excited to announce the addition of a dedicated electric truck to our water quality monitoring program, made possible by generous grants from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and the Mote Scientific Foundation.
This funding was critical not only for securing a vehicle exclusively for Suncoast Waterkeeper, but also for choosing one that reflects our values. By replacing aging, fuel-powered personal vehicles with an electric truck, we’re significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting fuel consumption, and eliminating tailpipe pollutants that impact local air and water quality. We anticipate saving approximately $2,000 per year in fuel and maintenance costs, which can be reinvested directly into our programs.
Our water quality specialists, Pia and Peyton, will use the electric truck weekly to conduct enterococci sampling from Terra Ceia Bay to Lemon Bay. The vehicle strengthens our ability to maintain reliable sampling, increase testing during high bacteria events, and respond quickly to pollution reports. It also supports all of our other monitoring programs, including nitrogen hotspots and PFAS, while reducing reliance on personal vehicles.
Beyond monitoring, the truck will tow our patrol boat, improve efficiency during our annual marine debris cleanup, and support ecological restoration work across the region. This investment strengthens Suncoast Waterkeeper’s capacity to protect public health, advocate for clean water solutions, and provide trusted, independent water quality data for Sarasota and Manatee counties.
“This electric truck has been an incredible gift to our organization and to advancing our clean water mission. It allows our team to do more; respond faster, monitor more consistently, and cover more of our coastline without asking staff to sacrifice their own vehicles or absorb rising fuel costs,” remarked Dr. Abbey Tyrna, Executive Director & Waterkeeper of Suncoast Waterkeeper. “Just as importantly, it’s a smart, efficient investment that reduces emissions and operating expenses while protecting the air and water we all depend on. Thanks to the Selby and Mote Scientific foundations, we now have a tool that strengthens our work, stretches every donated dollar, and helps us be good stewards of both public trust and public resources.”
We are deeply grateful to the Mote Scientific Foundation and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation for supporting this critical work. Join us in making clean water a reality on the Suncoast. Reach out to our Development and Volunteer Coordinator, Shelby Isaacson ([email protected]) to learn more about making a difference with your own meaningful gift.
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation is the legacy of Bill and Marie Selby, two caring people who used their resources to help others access opportunity. Now in its 70th year, the Foundation awards renewable college scholarships to graduating high school students and capital grants to nonprofit organizations in the region. Learn more online at SelbyFdn.org
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