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| The West Indian manatee has captured the imagination of people across the country during the last two decades. Public awareness in Florida has also increased dramatically, especially since 1975, when the manatee was designated as the state's aquatic mammal. Today, the manatee is known for its gentleness and uniqueness, and has become a symbol of human concern for endangered species.
"MANATEES - An Educator's Guide" provides current information on the West Indian manatee as well as strategies for teaching about this endangered animal. Information about its physiology, behavior, habitat, related species, causes of mortality, and efforts at conservation is included. Of course, a problem with a single species is often a problem interrelated with our environment and the natural resources on which we commonly depend. While this guide focuses on the West Indian manatee, the importance of interdependicies within the whole ecosystem and the role the manatee plays should be kept in appropriate context. We hope that the use of this guide will result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions towards the protection of manatees and their habitat. We encourage you to copy and distribute the material in this booklet (website). Activities can be adapted to suit the special needs, ages, and abilities of your students and are designed for multidisciplinary study areas. Accompanying this guide (when physically acquired - on this web site - click here) is a 4-color poster, "Sirenians of the World", depicting the West Indian manatee and four related species. Also available are: "Manatee Messages: What You Can Do!" An exciting education videotape for students and teachers, produced by Save the Manatee Club (SMC) with assistance from the Florida Advisory Council on Environmental Education (FACEE). This 1/2" VHS videotape (approximately 12 minutes in length) has been distributed to schools throughout Florida, and educators should check their district media centers for availability. Out-of-state educators and other interested parties may purchase a video for $9.00 (total cost). The following formats exist: (1) Secondary Level (Grades 6-12), (2) Open Captioned Secondary Level, (3) Elementary Level (Grades K-5) and (4) Open Captioned Elementary Level. Written permission may be obtained by writing Save the Manatee Club to duplicate and/or broadcast this program. Adopt-A-Manatee Program: School groups or classes can adopt an endangered manatee for $10.00 through Save the Manatee Club. With adoption / membership, classes will receive an adoption certificate, an underwater photo and case history of the adopted manatee, and a variety of educational materials. In addition, classes will receive the Save the Manatee Club Newsletter four times a year, complete with adoption updates, education articles, and information on manatee-related issues. We hope that this manatee package (website) will encourage you and your students to become more aware of our fascinating natural world and work to preserve its wonders for generations to come. |
| Manatees: An Educator's Guide is a cooperative effort of: |
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Save The Manatee Club
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MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION |
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| First Edition 1985 |
Written by Judith Delaney, Wendy Hale, and Renee Stone. |
| Second Edition 1989 |
Revised and written by Marjorie Lamphear. Graphics and illustrations by Mary Ruth Sprankel. Thanks to Beth Beeler, Marie Bienkowski, Daryl Domning, Wendy Hale, Randy Lewis, Patrick M. Rose, and Vi Stewart for their help in reviewing this guide and to Peggy Lantz for her editing help. |
| Third Edition 1992 |
Revised by Nancy Guzik. Thanks to: Bruce B. Ackerman, Vicki Flannagan, Carolina Garzon, Patrick M. Rose, Nancy Sadusky, and Patti Thompson for their help in reviewing this guide. |
| Fourth Edition 1994 |
Revised by Nancy Sadusky, Judith Vallee, and Patti Thompson. Thanks to Edie Ousley and Bruce B. Ackerman. |
| Fifth Edition 1996 |
Revised by Nancy Sadusky and Patti Thompson. |
| Produced by Save the Manatee Club. For further information on manatees visit the Save the Manatee Club Web Site. |
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