Manatee Center News

Southern Living’s article highlights the emotional connection people have with manatees and the awe they inspire. These gentle giants remind us why conservation is so important—not just for their survival, but for the joy they bring to all who encounter them.

One of the first things you’ll learn when visiting Florida’s coastal manatee habitats is that these creatures make people emotional.

With seasonal manatee zones going into effect April 1st – November 15th, FWC urges boaters to be extra cautious. Manatees are migrating, and slowing down in key areas can help prevent collisions and keep these gentle giants safe.

Lagoon captures the hope, determination, and local action that define ORCA’s mission.

Florida’s Water Quality & Indian River Lagoon Revitalization Today, Governor DeSantis announced over $389 million to safeguard Florida’s water resources, including $100 million dedicated to revitalizing the Indian River Lagoon!

Since Aug. 28, more than 5.5 billion gallons of water have flowed into the estuary, part of it from the new C-44 Reservoir

Three local endeavors to improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon alongside the North Barrier Island are among 15 projects earmarked for $9.4 million in proposed federal funding to be spent over the next three years.

Manatees had been dying off in record numbers in Florida in recent years, but that has changed for the first time in five years.

Crystal River has long been a safe haven for the Florida manatee, but when an invasive algae wiped out the eelgrass that manatees need for food, the community rallied to restore the river and save the animals that call it home.

Every year, the “Manatee Capital of the World” erupts in celebration for a weekend-long festival. Yet even as thousands gathered this year to celebrate the manatee, the species struggles to overcome human threats.

Join host Jeff Corwin on an adventure across central Florida to connect with the giant manatee!

In a legal agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and Save the Manatee Club, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has committed to revise critical habitat for the Florida manatee by September 2024.

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, but sadly, its loss of seagrass is having an immense impact on the wildlife that depend on it like manatees.

A documentary looking at the causes and potential solutions of cleaning up one of the world’s most diverse estuaries, the Indian River Lagoon, on Florida’s East Coast.