Stunning FWC Decision Keeps Manatees On Endangered List

Stunning FWC Decision
Keeps Manatees On Endangered List
By Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist, Executive Director
B
ecause of the intense and persistent political lobbying by the development
community and other special interest groups, it seemed inevitable that the
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) would ignore science
and common sense and downlist manatees from endangered to threatened status
over our strong objections. But on December 5th, the Commissioners, heeding a request
from Florida Governor Charlie Crist to leave the manatee’s status unchanged, deferred
the manatee’s downlisting indefinitely and adopted a management plan that will guide
the state’s efforts to recover the species. We’ve been spearheading the fight to keep the
manatee’s endangered status since 2001 so that manatees could remain eligible to receive
the strongest possible protection measures.
And most importantly, the Commission also directed their staff to undertake a review
of the flawed state imperiled species classification system, which is the very action we
have worked so hard to achieve since the
beginning of the manatee’s status review.
The IUCN World Conservation Union,
Please contact Governor Crist and
confirming our concerns, recently listed
the
FWC Commissioners. Thank them
the Florida manatee as endangered at the
for
retaining
the manatee’s endangered
international level.
status
and
for
reviewing Florida’s
Late last year, we led our conservation
imperiled
species
classification system.
partners, representing over twenty million
Let
them
know
you
support a revised
Americans, to mount a very successful grass
system that will ensure imperiled
roots campaign opposing the manatee’s
species receive the level of protections
state downlisting. In the first week of
they need to recover their populations.
December, over 28,000 e-mail messages
Take Action
were generated to Governor Crist, with
the vast majority opposing the manatee’s
status change. An unwarranted status
change at this time could have jeopardized
the manatee’s and many other imperiled
species’ chances of survival.
We now have a new window of opportunity to change the state’s listing/delisting
process in order to benefit all of Florida’s
at-risk species.
500 N. Maitland Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751
March, Volume 27
Issue #1 of 2008
Published four times a year
in March, June, September
and November
If you do not have internet access,
please request a hard copy of
any web site article referred to
within this newsletter by calling
1-800-432-JOIN (5646). Thank you.
Governor Charlie Crist
Phone: 850-488-7146
E-mail:
[email protected]
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
Phone: 850-487-3796
E-mail:
[email protected]
Donate Now
Please make a donation at this time, so we can keep this incredible momentum going.
You can donate online at www.savethemanatee.org/donation.htm, by mail at the address at
the top of page 8 or call us at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). Thank you so much for all your help!
Manatee Deaths In 2007
By Kelly Novic, Staff Biologist
Manatees did not fare so well in 2007. Although not as tragic as 2006, the number
of deaths last year remained alarmingly high. As of the end of December, preliminary
data reported 317 confirmed manatee deaths. Natural causes accounted for 81 of these
(52 of the 81 deaths due to red tide). Watercraft collisions accounted for a sad 73 deaths.
Both watercraft and red tide deaths were high in Southwest Florida, a region where the
manatee population may already be in decline.
Two manatee deaths were due to flood/gate locks, 5 were due to “other human” causes
(vandalism, entanglement, ingestion of fishing gear, etc.), 59 were perinatal deaths (deaths
continued on page 5
Join In The Festivities!
T
he Tampa Bay Parrot
Head Club (TBPH Club),
joined by many Parrot
Head Clubs around
Florida, are sponsoring the “1st
Annual Parrot Heads in Paradise
Clubs’ FloriDaze Beach Music Festival” from May 15th to May 17th.
On May 16th, as part of the festivities,
there will be a CD release party
and a Sea Cow Soiree featuring live
and silent auctions – both events
to benefit Save the Manatee Club.
By Judith Vallee, Development Director
The CD is the creative idea of
Capt’n Harry, the founder and past
president of the TBPH Club, and
is a collection of manatee-themed
original songs written by many
talented singer/songwriters.
The FloriDaze events will be
held at the beautiful TradeWinds
Island Grand Resort in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. Other activities
include a sandcastle contest and an
all-day beach bash on May 17th,
with live entertainment including
John Frinzi, Tropical Soul, Sunny
Jim, and more. Tickets for the event
are $65. The price includes admission to all events, a name badge,
lanyard, t-shirt and goodie bag.
For more information about
the Festival, please contact: Susan
Blankenship at 727-453-9093;
[email protected], and also
visit www.floridaze.org. To donate
auction items, please e-mail me
at [email protected].
We hope to see you there!
Manatees Need Warm Water In Cold Weather
During winter, normally hot,
muggy Florida can get downright
nippy, especially in Central and
North Florida between the months
of November and March. Manatees
must take refuge at numerous warmwater sites around the state in order to
survive winter cold snaps. Many die
each year from cold-stress syndrome.
Second only to watercraft collisions, the greatest long-term threat to
the survival of the Florida manatee
population is the potential loss of
these winter warm-water sites, such
as natural springs and the outfalls of
power plants. Florida’s natural springs
are being polluted, and their flows
are decreasing due to new demand
for drinking water, as the state’s
once-pristine lands are developed.
Outfalls of ten power plants
around Florida are used by about
60% of the manatee population
during cold snaps. But all of these
power plants were built between the
1940s and the early 1970s. Consequently, many are approaching the
end of their planned operational
lives and soon may be retired. The
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Warm
Water Task Force – of which we are
a part – is working on contingency
plans to ensure that manatees have
enough warm-water habitat to
survive during cold weather.
Thanks to a generous grant (see
below), we purchased 30 aluminum
signs that will be posted at winter
warm-water refuges around Florida.
The purpose of the signs is to
educate the public and to bolster
support for these important sites.
Last year, the financial company, HSBC – North America, made a donation to Save the Manatee Club
for signage to be posted at various warm-water sites around Florida, so that residents and visitors could gain
knowledge of the importance of these winter habitats for manatees. For more on the company’s environmental
initiatives focusing on climate change, freshwater, and terrestrial biodiversity, go to www.HSBCusa.com.
To find out how your company can help manatees, please call the Club at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
WITHOUT WARM WATER,
MANATEES CANNOT SURVIVE
Manatees need warm water in cold weather
Sites like this one provide critically important warm-water winter habitat
for these endangered marine mammals because water temperatures in power plant outfall canals
and in natural springs are warmer than in surrounding waters in the winter months.
Manatees are sub-tropical animals with relatively thick skin but only a thin layer of fat
protecting their bodies. They rely on these warm-water sites to survive Florida’s winter cold snaps.
The majority of the statewide manatee population can be found at power plant outfalls
and natural springs such as this one during Florida’s colder months.
Without this site and others like it, there could be a catastrophic die-off
of manatees due to cold stress syndrome.
Find out how you can help manatees.
Call Save the Manatee Club at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
Sponsored by HSBC Consumer and Mortgage Lending Services, www.HSBCusa.com,
and Save the Manatee Club, www.savethemanatee.org
2
Marina Stopped
In Aquatic Preserve
You can request a hi-res jpeg of this ad for your company
newsletters. E-mail: [email protected]
By Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist, Executive Director
M
uch of last year we
fought hard to oppose
the development of a
500-slip commercial
marina on the St. Johns River associated with a proposed development
called Country Estates at River Bend.
The developer wanted to build the
marina in a state aquatic preserve
close to Blue Spring, where many
of our manatee adoptees take refuge
during winter cold snaps.
Along with local conservation
partners, including the Seminole
Audubon and local residents, we
mounted a strong legal effort in
support of the Florida Department
of Community Affairs’ opposition to
the marina. I’m happy to report that
we reached a successful settlement
agreement
with the
developer
to entirely
eliminate
the marina,
which
would have
put many
manatees
at risk from
significantly
increased
boat traffic
in this
critical manatee habitat. To learn
more about our efforts to protect
our St. John’s River and Blue
Spring manatees go to www.savethe
manatee.org/debary_bkgrnd.html.
To donate toward our legal
defense fund, please go to
https://www.savethemanatee.org/
shop/donate.cfm?.
More Science-Based Help For Manatees
In our continuing goal to provide
the best protection for manatees,
including expanding our role in
assisting manatee rescues, rehabili-
tation, and release efforts, we have
some great news to share. Save the
Manatee Club has recently hired
biologist Artie Wong, who joins us
Artie, monitoring the heart rate of a young manatee. Photo courtesy USGS,
Robert K. Bonde.
with diverse field and research
experience as a former manatee
biologist with the Florida Fish &
Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Artie has made particular
efforts toward improving the care
of rescued and research-captured
manatees in the field. His recent
research has focused on monitoring
oral temperature, heart rate, and
respiration rate of manatees during
research captures. In human and
veterinary medicine, these basic
physiological parameters are used
to better assess the immediate
condition of a patient. From the
years 2004 to 2006, he assessed 86
manatees during research captures
in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Belize.
From the research conducted, he
helped to establish a monitoring
protocol that other researchers
could use, provide additional insight
as to how manatees were tolerating
continued on page 8
You can donate now toward our rescue efforts. Go to Emergency Rescue Fund
at www.savethemanatee.org/shop/donate.cfm?, or call us at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
Thanks so much for your help!
3
A Record Season
T
he manatee season
began on November 7th,
2007. It was another
very warm season with
manatees still arriving in January,
as if it was the first of the season.
I am sure we have seen more than
265, so we will have a new season
record. At least 15 calves are in.
This is no record, but it is a lot of
calves. Our highest morning count
so far this year is 168 manatees. The
warm winter has them cavorting in
the run a lot, instead of settling down.
Most of this cavorting is done in
Blue Spring Update, by Ranger Wayne Hartley
clay banks along the run and makes
some of the water too cloudy to
see anything.
The first adoptee in was Robin
on November 7th. He and Phyllis
have been in the most so far. The
next day Brutus, Paddy Doyle and
Phyllis arrived. This is early for
Brutus. Phyllis has a big, but shallow, zipper-like scar in the middle
of her back. Lucille came in on
November 10th. She still prefers to
be just barely in the run in case we
decide to do something to help her,
like take line off her flipper. The
Girls Weigh In
With the exception of a few
cooler days, we have had a very
mild winter, and as a result, we are
not seeing as many manatees in the
sanctuary as expected. According
to our Manatee Watch volunteers,
however, there have been plenty
of wild manatees in the river, with
quite a lot of breeding activity over
the past few weeks. The manatees
here at the park do seem to enjoy
catching up with their wild friends
when possible and can be found
by the bridge vocalizing whenever
there is a visiting manatee close by.
The annual weigh-in went very
smoothly, and all of the manatees
here in the park are in good condi-
continued on page 6
Homosassa Wildlife State Park Update
by Matt Robinson, Park Ranger
tion. As expected, Rosie was the
heaviest of the bunch weighing in
at 3,555 pounds! Amanda and her
daughter, Ariel, were not far behind,
with Amanda weighing 2,995 pounds,
and Ariel at 2,625 pounds. Lorelei
was actually lighter than Ariel on
the scale, but you couldn’t tell by
looking. Lorelei has a slightly shorter
body and rounder shape than all of
the other manatees here at the park,
so she looks heavier than she actually is. That doesn’t make her weight
of 2,670 pounds any lighter, but
she has moved to third largest in
the weight department. Betsy is the
exact opposite of Lorelei in body
shape. She is very long and appears
The winner of the second annual
“A Manatee Is My Namesake” donation
drawing is Michelle Niedermeier from
Pennsylvania, and “Andy” is the winning
name she picked for a new calf at Blue
Spring. For the third year in a row, you have
a chance to name a baby manatee whose
mom winters at the spring. The donation is
$10 for each name you submit. The drawing
is open to Club members only. The lucky
winner will be chosen after November 30,
2008. Don’t miss out! Enter online at
www.savethemanatee.org/namesake_
drawing_ form.cfm, or call us for an
application at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
Thank you, and best of luck!
4
biggest relief for me so far this
season was the arrival of Doc on
November 10th. He never showed
last season and had us worried. He
looks great! Floyd and Merlin came
in with him.
November 12th was a big day,
with Howie, Georgia, Lily, and Nick
arriving. Dana showed up with a
very lovely calf on November 16th.
November 22nd saw Flash come
in, and the next day Deep Dent followed him. Margarito, Elaine, and
Philip showed up on November
slender in the water, slender by
manatee standards, anyway. Betsy
did gain a very small amount of
weight in her 17th year, putting her
at 2,436 pounds. Electra used to be
the easiest manatee here at the park
to identify. When she arrived, aside
from her injuries, she was easy
to spot based on her clearly being
the smallest manatee in the Spring
Run. With her weight now at 2,090
pounds, and her length measurements increasing as well, she has
become much more difficult to
identify, based solely on her size.
A recent cold snap prompted
us to change the feeding location
continued on page 8
Manatee Deaths In 2007
Total Manatee Mortality Where Cause
Could Be Determined – 2007
continued from page 1
of manatees less than 150cm in
length), and 18 deaths were due to
cold stress. Twelve manatees who
had died were unrecoverable and
67 deaths were from undetermined
causes. While we cannot directly
control all causes of death, if we
Watercraft Deaths
By Florida County – Total 73
Brevard. . . . 10
Broward . . . . 1
Charlotte . . . 3
Citrus . . . . . . 5
Clay . . . . . . . 1
Collier . . . . . 6
Dade . . . . . . . 4
Dixie. . . . . . . 1
Duval . . . . . . 2
Flagler . . . . . 2
Glades . . . . . . . 1
Hillsborough . . 3
Lee . . . . . . . . . 14
Manatee . . . . . . 2
Martin . . . . . . . 2
Monroe . . . . . . 3
Pasco . . . . . . . . 1
Pinellas . . . . . . 3
St. Lucie . . . . . 1
Volusia . . . . . . . 8
Watercraft – 73
30.7%
eliminated
Natural &
humanRed-Tide – 81
34.0%
caused
deaths,
at least 80
manatees
would still
be alive (and
most likely
a number
Cold Stress – 18
7.6%
of the
undetermined
and unrecovered manatees as well).
Of those cases where the cause
of death was known, watercraft
collisions accounted for a little over
30% of deaths. Florida’s watercraft
collision “hot spots” this year are
no surprise: Lee County remains
the county with the most confirmed
watercraft deaths (14 total), while
New Baby, And More Flicker Troubles
S
ave the Manatee Club’s
Tampa Bay adoptees
have been busy this
season, and most of
them, with the exception of travelhappy Jemp, have been spotted by
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
(FWC) staff in Tampa Bay.
Elsie not only has the most sightings so far this winter, having been
sighted by FWC staff five times, but
she also has a new calf! Elsie was
first sighted November 11th at the
Bartow Power Plant with her calf.
Mom and baby were sighted again
at the same plant on December 7th,
before they were seen at the TECO
Big Bend Power Plant on December
17th, 18th, and 19th.
Ginger was sighted once by
FWC staff on September 30th off
Marco Island (her favorite hangout) and once by staff at Mote
Marine Lab January 3rd at Lee
County Manatee Park. Vector was
seen December 17th at the TECO
Big Bend Power Plant.
Flicker has already gotten into
trouble this season. She was first
spotted December 4th in a canal
on the East side of Old Tampa Bay.
Unfortunately, she had a fishing lure
attached to her tail fluke and was
trailing fishing line. Flicker left this
area just as rescue staff arrived to
try and help her. She was spotted
again on the 18th at the TECO Big
Bend Power Plant with the fishing
Flood Gate &
Lock – 2
.8%
Other Human – 5
2.1%
Perinatal – 59
24.8%
Brevard and Volusia counties
are not far behind (10 and 8 total,
respectively). Review of waterway
regulations and enforcement allocations in these counties should
be a top priority for Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation
Commission officials.
By Kelly Novic, Staff Biologist
lure and line still attached. On the
19th and 20th she was seen with
only the lure – the line was no longer
observed. Flicker is one of many
manatees who regularly gets
entangled in fishing lines and nets.
She bears the scars and mutilations
of past entanglements, which makes
her prone to catching other line on
her flippers and tail. Remember,
if you see any entangled manatees,
please report them to the FWC
Wildlife Hotline: 1-888-404-FWCC
(3922) or VHF Channel 16 on
marine radios. Please also remember
to recycle your used fishing line
and properly dispose of lures.
Help For Tomorrow
As guardians of the manatee, we must lay the foundation now for their protection in the future. You can
help significantly by remembering Save the Manatee Club in your will or living trust or by naming the Club a
beneficiary in your life insurance policy or retirement plan. You can also give gifts of real estate and stocks to
help the manatees. Please consult your attorney about a legacy gift. You can also contact Patrick Rose, the Club’s
Executive Director, for further information at 1-800-432-5646 or by writing to him at Save the Manatee Club,
500 N. Maitland Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our federal
tax identification number is 59-3131709. Our sincere thanks for remembering manatees, today and every day.
5
A Record Season
continued from page 4
24th. Elaine was halfway up the run,
which surprised me, as she usually
stays near the river. My tail-endcharlies were Lenny and Whiskers
on December 6th.
Lenny had me worried, as I
usually expect him earlier. It was
good to see him. Whiskers pulled
this late arrival thing last season
as well, so I wasn’t as concerned
about him. Whiskers has already
been in more than last season.
Troy remains AWOL.
Ranger Wayne Hartley has
worked on manatee research since
his arrival at Blue Spring State
Park in 1979. He is responsible
for reporting information to the
USGS Sirenia Project, the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, and Save the Manatee
Club. Wayne recently received an
award from the Sirenia Project
for his outstanding contributions
to manatee research.
Legislative Session Needs Our Vigilance
By Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist, Executive Director
D
uring Florida’s Spring
Legislative Session, we
will be working with
the marine industries to
expand mandatory boater education
to all ages of boaters. We will also
be combining forces with the industry to increase the portion of boat
fuel taxes that fund on-the water
enforcement efforts.
But as you can imagine, some
in the marine industries and development communities, as well as
go-fast boating groups, are not happy
at all with the Florida Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission’s decision to indefinitely postpone the
manatee’s downlisting, nor are
they happy with the Commission’s
decision to review the state’s entire
imperiled species classification
system. There is a good chance
they will retaliate and try to weaken
state laws that protect manatees
and other imperiled species. They
could also attempt to reduce the
funding for imperiled species
protective regulations.
It’s going to be a very busy
legislative session starting in early
March and we’re going to need
your help! Please make sure to
sign up to receive our action alerts.
We’ll email you the information
on proposed bills and tell you how
to support or oppose them. Please
sign up at www.savethemanatee.org/
action.htm. There is nothing more
important to our cause than you!
UNWANTED VEHICLE OR BOAT?
Donate it to Save the Manatee Club and get a tax deduction!
Help us protect manatees and their habitat.
Call 1-866-332-1178 or go on-line to www.savethemanatee.org/donateother.htm
and click on the
Jodie Addams, a member who
hails from Wyoming, was the lucky
winner of the gift basket. All Club
members who purchased a gift
membership during the
2007 holiday season were eligible
to win the basket, which was filled
with manatee merchandise with a
total value over $100. Many thanks
to all our members who purchased
a gift adoption for the holidays!
6
Save the
Manatee ®
Club
Puppet And Book Set
This 14⬙ velvety soft plush puppet is
a great companion for any adventure!
A beanie bottom lets the manatee sit
on any shelf when not in use. “My Little
Book of Manatees” is a delightful story
following a newborn calf as he learns his first lessons in being a
playful manatee. Wonderfully written and illustrated, this book is sure
to be a favorite of young children! 32 pages, paperback, full color.
Puppet: Item #0223A Price $13.95 Book: Item #0223B Price $7.95
Save over 10% when you buy the Puppet and Book Set:
Item #0223 Price $18.95
Official SMC T-Shirt
This year’s “Aqua Springs” t-shirt
is sure to be a favorite! Features
a spectacular underwater design
by Florida artist, Nancy Blauers.
100% preshrunk white cotton shirt
with full-color front and back.
Adult sizes S, M, L, XL.
Item #0220 Price $18.95
Save the Manatee ® Club
Front
Beaded Bracelet
SMC Golf Umbrella
April showers bring May flowers…and this
exclusive golf umbrella is the perfect way to
stay dry! Keep one in your car, home or office
so you don’t get caught in the rain. Blue/white,
48⬙W, wood handle with auto open function.
Item #0224 Price $19.95 (Shipped Separately)
Bracelet
charm
This colorful bracelet makes a
beautiful gift for any jewelry lover.
Beads shine like Tiger’s Eye stone
while silver accents sparkle!
Stretchable 7⬙ band fits most
women. Also makes a cool anklet
for younger girls! 7/8⬙ manatee
charm, 1/4⬙ and 3/16⬙ beads.
Item #0221 Price $10.95
Infant One-Piece
This exclusive and absolutely adorable design
by Sherry Vintson is sure to get some ooohs
and aaahs! Super soft and comfy for your
little one, outfit features two shoulder snaps
for easy dressing. 100% ringspun combed
cotton, white with sea green trim.
Infant sizes 6M, 12M, 18M, 24M.
Item #0222 Price $16.95
Back
SMC Watch
Closeup
of design
Exclusive watch features a fantastic
underwater photo taken by SMC’s Patrick
Rose. With two colors to choose from,
this awesome watch makes a great gift for
any occasion! Easy to read watch face,
band adjusts from 7⬙ to 9⬙.
Item #0225A (frosted green) Price $24.95
Item #0225B (frosted blue) Price $24.95
Full-color photos and ordering options for these and other items
available online at www.savethemanatee.org/manateegifts.htm
SHIPPING & HANDLING FEES (for U.S. delivery only):
Up to $14.99 . . . . . $4.95
$45.00–59.99 . . . . $8.95
$100.00–124.99. . $12.95
$15.00–29.99 . . . $ 5.95
$60.00–74.99 . . . $ 9.95
$125 & up . . . . . . $13.95
$30.00–44.99 . . . . $ 6.95
$75.00–99.99 . . . . $11.95
Qty.
Item Description
Size
Price
Total
FOR DELIVERY OUTSIDE THE U.S.:
Please visit our website at www.savethemanatee.org/manateegifts.htm for the
varying international shipping rates. Simply select your items and provide the
shipping address to get the appropriate rate. Thank you!
ORDERED BY:
Name ______________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
City, State, and Zip ____________________________________
Daytime Phone (______) ______________________________
E-Mail Address ______________________________________
SHIP TO: (if different than Ordered By address)
Gift From __________________________________________
Name ______________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
City, State, and Zip __________________________________
Subtotal:
Florida Residents Only Multiply Subtotal by 6.5% for State Sales Tax:
Shipping and Handling:
See Chart to the Left
Total Order:
Credit Card, Check or Money Order (No cash, please.)
Please make check or money order payable to “Save the Manatee Club.”
Credit Card #: ___________________________________________________
Exp. Date: _______________________
Allow 2 – 4
weeks for
delivery.
Please mail this form and payment to:
Save the Manatee Club, Catalog Dept.
500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751
For phone orders call: 1-800-432-JOIN (5646)
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
Save the Manatee ® Club
PAID
500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751
U.S.A.
Orlando, Florida
Permit No. 51022
Return Service Requested
If you see an injured manatee, call 1-888-404-FWCC, #FWC or *FWC, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.
Girls Weigh In
continued from page 4
Save the
Manatee Club, Inc.
®
Board of Directors Co-Chairs
Jimmy Buffett and Helen Spivey
Executive Director – Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist
of the manatees back to the Underwater Observatory. It was simply too
cold to have them in the concrete pool for any length of time. The pool
remained open, and the manatees were free to enter and leave at will –
their food was only given at the Observatory.
Newsletter Editor – Terry Nearing
Staff
More Science-Based Help For Manatees
continued from page 3
capture, and produced a manatee health monitoring field guide for other
researchers to reference in the field.
The addition of Artie’s manatee field experience, along with Kelly Novic’s
aquatic habitat expertise, will continue to support the science-based policy
recommendations by Save the Manatee Club. To read Kelly’s comprehensive article about capturing manatees for health assessments, go online
to www.savethemanatee.org/news_ feature_health_assess_08.html. We are
excited about the additional efforts that can be made to support manatee
rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts. Furthermore, we look forward
to continue working with the manatee community and assisting in the
conservation of the species.
8
Membership Services Representatives:
Judy Bower, Eliana Campos, Jessie Gilmartin,
Anne Kendrick, Jason McGuire, and Pamela Tuit
East Central FL Reg. Coordinator ............Sandra Clinger
Director of Operations............................Connie Graham
Administrative Assistant ................................Brent Lang
Director of Public Relations......................Janice Nearing
Staff Biologist ..............................................Kelly Novic
Bookkeeper ................................................Paula Roberts
Director of Online Communications ......Nancy Sadusky
Mailroom Supervisor ............................Carol Stockwell
Member Services Manager..............Christine Strickland
Outreach/Administrative Assistant ..........Kristi Swiderski
Director of Development ............................Judith Vallee
Staff Biologist ..............................................Artie Wong
SMC receives 100% of each charitable contribution. SC-03550.
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www.savethemanatee.org
1-800-432-JOIN (5646)