Friends Of Manatee Lagoon

Marine Conservation Efforts: Our marine conservation initiatives foster a sense of community and support our mission to preserve and protect manatees, other marine mammals, and their habitats. In 2024, we hosted six community conservation education and training events, providing opportunities for the public to get involved in meaningful environmental action. These efforts included our biannual Citizen Science program with Drift Card Releases, seagrass restoration training, and hands-on seagrass matting sessions. Through the planning and execution of these events, we engage the community in impactful conservation work and help raise awareness about the importance of protecting our marine ecosystems.

Description:Volunteer Program: Inviting members of the community to be involved in the protection and preservation of manatees and their habitat by providing their time, talent, and energy. Building relationships in the community which helps us be more effective in our outreach. Program includes a volunter coordinator(unpaid) who has been instrumental in recruiting, training, supervising, and thanking volunteers. Community members volunteering at the guest information desk are engaging visitors to Manatee Lagoon by answering their questions about Manatee habitats, their food sources, and other important questions.

Community Outreach & Education Programs Our mission is to educate the community about the challenges manatees face in Florida, while raising funds and awareness to support efforts that offer transformative opportunities to learn about manatee protection and marine life conservation. We are committed to connecting with and engaging community members to build strong relationships that further our mission. This is achieved through a series of educational events at Manatee Lagoon, as well as our active participation in local community events. These gatherings provide us with the opportunity to teach children and families about the importance of protecting our fragile environment. In 2024, we participated in the following community events:ManateeFest, TurtleFest, Cognizant, WestLake Community Fall Fair, and Clematis by Night.