Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - Manatees: An Educator's Guide

There are many resource agencies and organizations in Florida whose activities can directly or indirectly affect the West Indian manatee. Below is a listing and description of some of these groups. Many will gladly provide more information on their programs.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
The USFWS, under the Department of Interior, is the primary federal agency involved in the conservation of the nation's wildlife. The Service operates the National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) system. The Crystal River NWR, for example, was established specifically to provide sanctuary areas for the Golf Coast manatees. The USFWS is also responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act regarding the manatee. Funds provided to Florida through ESA assist in research and protection efforts. For information contact: The USFWS, Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Field Office, Manatee Coordinator, 6620 Southpoint Drive S., Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216, (904) 232-2580.

The Sirenia Project
Administered under the National Biological Service, the Sirenia Project conducts field research on the basic biology of manatees as well as an east coast manatee tracking program focusing on recently rehabilitated manatees (see Manatee Research Programs and Tagging Program for more information). The Sirenia Project, 412 NE 16th Avenue, Room 250, Gainesville, FL 32601. (904) 372-2571.

Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
The Department of the Army, ACOE, is a federal agency that oversees water resource development in the nation's rivers, lakes, harbors, and wetlands. The ACOE is responsible for maintenance of harbors and navigation channels, including the Intercoastal Waterway, a major migration corridor for manatees. Presently, the ACOE is trying to locate and identify all areas of importance to manatees in Florida to assist in evaluating the impacts and cumulative effects of activities requiring permit applications. ACOE, Jacksonville District, Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 4970, Jacksonville, FL 32232.

Florida Water Management Districts
Florida has five water management districts that provide for management of water-related land resources, including preservation of natural resources, fish and wildlife, and promoting conservation, development, and proper utilization of surface and ground waters. They implement the state's Surface Water Improvement and Management program, and most have been delegated stormwater permitting by FDEP. Flood gates and canal locks, which have been responsible for several manatee deaths, are regulated by water management districts. Efforts are under way to reduce and eventually eliminate mortalities caused by these water control structures. Contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for water management district addresses.

Save The Manatee Club (SMC)
The Save The Manatee Club was established in 1981 by former Florida Governor Bob Graham (now a U.S. Senator) and singer Jimmy Buffett as an organization dedicated solely to protecting manatees and their habitat. The purpose of SMC is to promote public awareness and education; to foster research and rescue and rehabilitation efforts; and to lobby for the protection of manatees and their habitat, for the recovery of the species in the wild. SMC's Adopt-A-Manatee® program is operated as a means of raising funds to support these programs. SMC, 500 N. Maitland Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751, (407) 539-0990 or 1-800-432-JOIN. Visit the SMC web page on the internet at: http://www.savethemanatee.org/.

Florida Power and Light Company (FLP)
FLP is the state's largest electric utility, and five of the company's power plants provide important winter refuge for manatees. FPL is an important contributor to manatee research and conservation, funding aerial surveys, sponsoring public awareness workshops, producing educational materials, and supporting research projects. FPL, Environmental Affairs, P.O. Box 088801, N. Palm Beach, FL 33408-8801.

Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
DCA is the state land planning agency in Florida. It is responsible for overseeing the preparation and review of local government comprehensive plans for the administering the Development of Regional Impact and Area of Critical State Concern programs. DCA, Division Resource Planning and Management, 2740 Centerview Drive, E., Tallahassee, FL 32399. (904) 488-8466.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
This Department of Environmental Protection Parks and Recreation facility houses a captive manatee maintenance and research facility. The manatees in this program were either captive-born or recovered from the wild as a result of illness or injury. The public may view manatees in this program in a natural setting from an underwater viewing area. Daily shows are provided to promote public awareness. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, 9225 W. Fishbowl Drive, Homosassa, FL 34448. (904) 628-5343.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
The FDEP is charged with the administration, supervision, development, and conservation of Florida's natural resources. The FDEP's Bureau of Protected Species Management is responsible for reviewing, coordinating, and implementing manatee management programs; formulating boat speed regulations for manatee protection; monitoring state and federal permit applications that affect manatees; and overseeing the sanctuary and sign posting program. The FDEP's Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) conducts research programs and manatee salvage efforts. The Florida Marine Patrol enforces all marine related statutes and rules including boat speeds in protected zones. A 24-hour toll free HOTLINE NUMBER (1-800-DIAL-FMP) is maintained to take information about dead or injured manatees. Many of these programs are funded by the Save the Manatee Trust Fund which receives revenue from Florida boat registrations, the sale of manatee specialty automobile tags, and donations by concerned citizens. Information materials can be obtained through FDEP and through various state parks. One example is Blue Spring State Park in central Florida which provides important winter habitat for the manatees as well as educational programs for the public. Written requests should be directed to: FDEP, Bureau of Protected Species Management, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 245, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. (904) 922-4330.

FDEP is also the main environmental control agency in Florida and is responsible for water quality programs, wetlands development regulation, pollution control, solid waste and recycling, and power plant sitings - all of which impact on manatee habitats. Dredge and fill activities and pollution sources must be permitted through FDEP, and enforcement action can be taken if pollution laws are violated. For more information contact: Office of Environmental Education, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 30, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. (904) 488-7326.

Sea World of Florida
Sick and injured manatees in the northern part of Florida are taken to Sea World for rehabilitation, and necropsies are performed on carcasses recovered through the manatee salvage program. Sea World's captive manatees can be viewed by the public. Sea World of Florida, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, FL 32809. (407) 351-3600.

Florida Audubon Society (FAS)
FAS is Florida's oldest and largest conservation organization. An established leader in natural resource protection, conservation issues, and environmental education. FAS provides information and educational services on native flora and fauna, endangered species, and Florida environmental issues. FAS also works closely with other groups involved in manatee protection. FAS, 460 Highway 436, Suite 200, Casselberry, FL 32707. (407) 260-8300.

Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium is involved in manatee education and research, and has an active rehabilitation program for injured manatees found in the southern part of the state, with captive manatees that can be viewed by the public. Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL. (305) 361-5705.

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC)
FGFWFC is the state agency responsible for management of Florida's wildlife and freshwater fisheries resources. FGFWFC's endangered species activities coordinate with USFWS programs. FGFWFC has conducted aerial surveys of manatee habitat funded by the federal Endangered Species Act. They also operate the successful "WILDLIFE ALERT!" program that provides a reward system for reporting wildlife law violations in Florida. The number to call when you see wildlife being harmed or harassed is 1-800-342-9620. Endangered Species Coordinator, FGFWFC, Farris Bryant Building, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. (904) 488-3831.

Lowry Park Zoo
Lowry Park Zoo is a new manatee rehabilitation facility offering year-round care and public viewing of manatees. Lowry Park Zoo, 7530 N. Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33604. (813) 935-8552.

The Living Seas at Walt Disney World
The Living Seas, located in EPCOT Center, provides guests the opportunity to view the manatees in our care as well as speak directly with our animal care staff. The Living Seas, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. (407) 560-7688.

Activities

Discuss the composition of a letter and letter format. Have students write a proper business letter to a resource agency using the addresses listed on this page. Inquire about manatee information and ask how that particular agency or organization works to protect manatees in Florida. (Note: Please send all the letters to one source in a single envelope using the school's return address. This will greatly assist in the agency's response to your students.)
Have students find out more about organizations that work to preserve wildlife. Are they private or governmental? What do they do?
Write your own endangered species protection law. It should answer some of these questions: Why is it important to save the manatee? Why is the manatee endangered? What specific courses of action are necessary to save it? How will they be carried out? Where will the money come from? How can the public help? What will be the penalties for breaking the law? How will it be enforced? If fines are levied, where will the money go? How will you obtain the cooperation of the commercial public sectors?
Find out how aboriginal people in America hunted the manatee before it was protected by law. Aborigines in Australia and the south pacific still hunt the dugong for food.
Discuss the principle of extinction. Why is it important to preserve endangered species? Aesthetic value? Scientific and medical potential? Educational value? Respect for life? Understanding of the delicate, interwoven systems in nature? Tourist appeal? Once it is gone, is it too late to bring it back?
Animals all over the world are competing for space with burgeoning human population. The animals of Africa as well as manatees are losing space. What are some of the ways being used to share space, or reserve space, for animal populations (sanctuaries, game parks, usage regulation, etc.?
Discuss how a natural balance can be thrown off by over-exploitation. As we destroy countless other species do we make the world a less viable place for humans to live?
Have students role-play as researchers, educators, and legislators. Decide what to do about a particular manatee problem, such as boating-related deaths in a high usage area. Design an education program that would reduce the problem by informing boaters about manatees, using posters, the media, and other forms of communication. Use the information to lobby legislators and convince them to establish protective legislation.
Pretend you are on the city commission in a small town in Florida that is dependent on tourists and recreational boaters. You have to cast the deciding vote on a marina project that will have serious negative impact on manatees and wetland habitats. It will also create increased boat traffic on the waterway and new jobs by bringing in more tourists. YOUR CHOICES ARE:
1. Vote for the project because if you don't the public will be angry with you and you will not be reelected.
2. Vote for the project because you think it is better for the community to have jobs than manatees.
3. Vote for the project, but insist on as many environmental safeguards as possible.
4. Vote against the project because you think if you don't the public will be angry with you and you will not be reelected.
5. Vote against the project because you think the community has a responsibility to protect manatees at all costs.
6. Vote against the project and propose that the community could attract tourists by drawing on the manatee's uniqueness.
Stress that the government decisions are often complex, and politicians must balance their own beliefs and interests with the varied interest and concerns of a multi-faceted constituency.

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