Featured manatee adoptee: Millie! First identified in 1980, Millie is one of the largest manatees ever recorded. She is a traveler with a long sighting history along Florida’s southeast coast. Learn more about Millie and adopt her at https://savethemanatee.org/adopt-a-manatee/millie/

Join us this Saturday at Ponce Preserves the Planet at the Ponce Preserve! Come out and enjoy this FREE event full of family fun, food, crafts, and art vendors. Celebrate #EarthDay & stop by SMC’s booth to learn more about #manatees from our staff and volunteers. #SaveTheManatee

Featured #volunteer opportunity for #VolunteerAppreciationMonth: Office Volunteer. If you enjoy administrative tasks, want to support manatees, and have time to spare, this role is for you! To learn more and sign up, visit SaveTheManatee.org/Volunteer

Registration for this year's #SaveTheManatee5K is OPEN! Here are five good reasons to register today, for either the in-person or virtual option, at savethemanatee5k.org#SaveTheManatee5K #manatee #savethemanatee #manatee5k #run4manatees

#ManateeSeason at #BlueSpringStatePark has officially ended. Check out the recap of an exciting season, which included a record number of #manatees seen in a single day. #SaveTheManatee #ManateeResearch

Featured manatee adoptee: Una! Rescued in 2003 as an orphan, Una faced additional challenges with fishing line entanglement. Following treatment, she is once again doing well in the wild. Learn more about Una and adopt her at https://savethemanatee.org/adopt-a-manatee/una/

Celebrate #SpringsProtectionAwarnenessMonth by taking the pledge to go #FertilizerFreeForManatees! Not only does it benefit manatees, but it helps the natural freshwater springs they depend on. Learn more today and take the pledge at fertilizerfree.org

Winter has been very busy with many manatee rescues and returns to their natural habitat for both us and our partners in the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership all across Florida. Read the season recap: https://savethemanatee.org/manatees-keep-rescue-teams-working-non-stop

You asked - We answered! Many people wonder why manatees get hit by boats. Are they too slow or can they not hear boats? The answer has several layers—watch our short video to learn more and get tips on how to safely boat in manatees habitat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mUCIUJOq2k

It's #VolunteerAppreciationMonth and we are so grateful for ALL our volunteers! 🌟 This week, we're shining the spotlight on our fabulous Festivals and Events Volunteers, who help us spread knowledge, joy, and hope at events and festivals across Florida.

#TGIF and it's once again manatee puzzle time! Here is a brand new photo of two juvenile manatees at play at Blue Spring. Enjoy! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=149e5d9a7ef8

April is #SpringsProtectionAwarenessMonth and an easy way to help care for our springs is to stash the trash when you visit! If there's no trash bin in sight, stash your trash, take it home, then dispose of it properly. #SaveTheManatees #SaveOurSprings

Why Manatees Need Humans to Slow Down and Pay Attention www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/u...

Take Action! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-manatees-and-defend-the-endangered-species-act-2 Manatees face growing threats, and Congress is considering changes that could weaken the law protects them. Email your U.S. House Representative & urge them to oppose the ESA Amendments Act!

We had a prolonged cold front in early February that brought in a record count, but Manatee Season at Blue Spring State Park officially ended on March 27. Read the season recap! https://savethemanatee.org/manatee-sightings-update-april-2026

Featured #volunteer opportunity for #VolunteerAppreciationMonth: Festivals & Events Volunteer. If you love talking to others about manatees, are 18+ and have time to spare, this role is for you! To learn more and sign up, visit SaveTheManatee.org/Volunteer

See more photos of manatee "Melby"s release yesterday! https://www.floridatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2026/04/07/see-photos-as-mended-melby-the-manatee-heads-home-to-water-in-melbourne/89501922007/

It’s a fact! Manatees are semi-social, but also somewhat solitary animals. Though they sometimes gather in small, informal groups, they have no leader or real herd structure. The strongest bonds are between mother and calf pairs. savethemanatee.org/facts #WildlifeWednesday

In celebration of #SpringsProtectionAwarenessMonth, let's make a difference for Florida's springs and the #manatees who depend on them. Here are a few ways to ensure a brighter future for the gentle giants we love and the springs they depend on for survival each winter.

Come see us this Friday & Saturday at the Florida Birding and Nature Festival in Apollo Beach! Stop by Save the Manatee Club's booth to learn more about manatees and our mission. #SaveTheManatees

Featured #manatee adoptee: Deep Dent! Deep Dent is a medium-sized male who first showed up at Blue Spring State Park in 1979. He has a deep, “dent-like,” propeller wound on his tail. Learn more about Deep Dent and adopt him at https://savethemanatee.org/adopt-a-manatee/deep-dent/

Manatees: A Threatened Species At A Crossroads www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2026/04/mana...

We are excited that the Blue Spring Manatee Observer Program won 2025 Team of the Year Award! This program is a collab btwn Blue Spring, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Volusia County & SMC. Volunteers educate visitors & assist with preventing manatee harassment.

We have a fun Easter coloring page for you made by Connie Roy - Reverie Design! Download your copy here: savethemanatee.org/coloring/easter Happy coloring!

The girls are back! The resident manatees of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Ariel and Betsy, have returned to the spring and are ready for their close-up on the webcams! Tune in any time to ManaTV.org or Explore.org to catch a glimpse.

It's #VolunteerAppreciationMonth! We couldn't do any of our work without our amazing volunteers and want to give a shoutout to all of them! Learn more about our volunteer opportunities in this short video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYFfLNUbO0

Happy Friday! It's once again manatee puzzle time and today we are featuring a new photo of a cute manatee calf in a winter aggregation at Blue Spring. Enjoy! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=180cff358f29

Manatee protection zones are boating speed zones created to protect manatees and their important habitats from harmful boat collisions and harassment. Learn more in this article by SMC Manatee Biologist Tiare Fridrich: https://savethemanatee.org/establishing-manatee-boating-zone-rules

Not only is this month #SpringsProtectionAwarenessMonth, but today is #WorldAquaticAnimalDay! Remember these essential tips to safeguard our beloved manatees and all other aquatic animals that depend on healthy springs. #SaveOurSprings #SaveTheManatees

April is #SpringsProtectionAwarenessMonth Manatees rely on natural freshwater springs to survive in the winter, and Florida has the highest concentration of freshwater springs in the world. Protecting springs protects manatees. #SpringsProtection #SaveOurSprings #SaveThemanatees

Multiple cold fronts over the winter finally brought in quite a few adoptee sightings! Read our coastal adoptee sighting summary (incl. sightings of Vector, Flicker, Millie, Illusion and Zelda) at https://savethemanatee.org/vector-flicker-and-zelda-oh-my

The Endangered Species Committee removed protections for threatened & endangered species, in the Gulf in an unprecedented exemption to make way for oil and gas drilling. SMC condemns this decision wholeheartedly. Sign up for our Action Alerts: savethemanatee.org/signup

As we are wrapping up #SeagrassAwarenessMonth it's important to remember as water from our Florida rivers flows into the ocean, inland pollution, nutrient runoff, and land erosion can cause nutrient overloads that are detrimental to seagrasses.

March is #SeagrassAwarenessMonth! DYK? As water flows from our FL rivers into the ocean, inland pollution, nutrient runoff, and land erosion can cause nutrient overloads detrimental to the health of seagrass beds.

Featured #manatee adoptee: Brutus! Brutus is one of Blue Spring’s largest manatees. He weighs in at almost 1,900 pounds and has been a regular winter visitor since 1970. Learn more about Brutus and adopt him at https://savethemanatee.org/adopt-a-manatee/brutus/

Happy International Mermaid Day!🧜‍♀️🧜‍♂️ Did you know that manatees have been known to be mistaken for mermaids and are believed to have inspired or reinforced some early mermaid myths? Their scientific order, Sirenia, is even a nod to the Greek mythology of sirens!

Come see us today from 10-2 at the Manatee Celebration at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens!

Urgent Action Alert! savethemanatee.org/action The govt is seeking to exempt oil & gas activities in the Gulf from the Endangered Species Act— Please write to your congressional leaders to ask that they oppose this God Squad meeting for the sake of Florida’s wildlife & economy.

Latest Manatee Update from Blue Spring State Park! The river temp was 72.5F (22.5C). The same as the spring run. There were two manatees. Both were released in the past couple of years. Baring a truly surprising cold front we consider the manatee season over!

March is #SeagrassAwarenessMonth! DYK? By trapping sediments and slowing the flow of ocean water, seagrass beds can help protect our coastlines and reduce flooding from storm surged and hurricanes.

ICYMI: Last night's webinar featuring wildlife photographer David Schrichte is now ready to be watched online at savethemanatee.org/webinars

Latest Manatee Update from Blue Spring State Park! The river was up to 71.2F (21.8C). Yesterday 13 manatees were counted and today the manatee count dropped to two. They came to greet the research canoe at the canoe beach and were gone by the time roll call finished. None were adoptees.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park’s Florida Waters is now open! https://www.tampabay28.com/morning-blend/zootampa-at-lowry-parks-florida-waters

Latest Manatee Update from Blue Spring State Park The river was almost the same as yesterday at 70.3F (21.3C), but the manatee count dropped to 10 with one more coming in after the roll call was over. No adoptees were seen today.

March is #SeagrassAwarenessMonth! DYK? There are over 60 species of seagrass found worldwide and seven grow in Florida waters!

This coming Wednesday is #ManateeAppreciationDay! Read an Op-Ed in the Orlando Sentinel by SMC's Director of Environmental Law and Policy, Elizabeth Neville: www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/03/22/c...

Latest Manatee Update from Blue Spring State Park! The river temp was up today to 70.2F (21.2C). We saw 31 manatees at roll call. None were Save the Manatee Club adoptees. After the count was over we assisted our partners with a manatee rescue.

Join us this coming Wednesday, March 25th for our Homosassa Adoption Day for #ManateeAppreciationDay at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park from 10 a.m. - 3p.m.!

Latest Manatee Update from Blue Spring State Park! It was probably the last cool morning - the river temp was down to 69.8F (21C), but the air was warming up quickly. We counted 73 manatees during roll call and saw adoptee Merlin (pictured here). We did not expect to see him!

March is #SeagrassAwarenessMonth! DYK? Seagrass requires light for photosynthesis, and therefore grows only in relatively shallow in-shore areas that sunlight can penetrate!