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Current Issues

Ask Governor Crist to Put Florida Forever Funding in His Budget
Florida Governor Crist is currently preparing his proposed budget for fiscal year 2010-2011. Please ask him to include funding for the Florida Forever land buying program in his budget. The Florida Forever program was created in 2001, and between 2001 and 2009, the program acquired more than 638,600 acres of land worth $2.62 billion. The program has safeguarded habitat for 200 of Florida's protected species. Send a quick email to Govenor Crist now. Go >>

Protect Florida's Beaches
The oilmen are at it — spending millions on campaign contributions, public relations and lobbying — all in the hopes of siting drilling rigs in state waters. Nearshore drilling is emerging as the defining issue of the coming Florida Legislative session, and it will affect Florida's environment and its unique species, including manatees. Save the Manatee Club has joined a coalition of groups working to protect Florida's beaches, and we need your help! Send a quick online letter now. Go >>

Floridians: Vote Yes on Amendment 4
Amendment 4 is a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution sponsored by Florida Hometown Democracy, a non-partisan, grass-roots group. Over 1,000,000 Florida voters signed the Florida Hometown Democracy petition to qualify this important citizens' reform for the November 2010 ballot. Amendment 4 will give you, the Florida voter, a vote on growth in your community. Get more info >>

Updates

Oklawaha Marina Permit Application Withdrawn
Thank you for all your emails and letters! The applicant has removed their permit application for a 400-slip marina in Lake Ocklawaha (Rodman Reservoir) in Florida. Your effort has prevented the immediate watercraft-related threat to manatees and supported future manatee warm water habitat through the Department of Environmental Protection’s long term restoration plans for the Ocklawaha River.

2009 Florida Legislative Session
Thank you so much for all of your help during the 2009 Florida Legislative session! We asked you to take action on a variety of legislative issues, and thanks to your support, we were able to secure funding for manatee rescue and rehabilitation programs and protect seagrass from propeller scarring. Your emails also helped block bad bills from passing, such as a bill to limit federal review of small wetlands permits, and a bill that would have weakened the environmental permitting process through streamlining.


Other Ways to Help Manatees

Sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge!
You can help protect the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a safety net for our nation's wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction. For over 30 years, the ESA has provided critical protections for endangered species and the places where they live. Please sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge (SMC is a member of the Endangered Species Coalition) and show your support. When various threats arise to the Endangered Species Act in the form of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate or negative administrative actions, the conservation community will be able to take the list of pledge supporters to Members of Congress and let them know that their constituents support strong protections for our nation’s endangered fish, plants and wildlife. Go >>

Join the Manatee Sighting Network
Have you seen a manatee in the wild lately? If you live along a river, estuary, canal or coastal area in Florida, you can help provide valuable information to researchers who are tracking manatees. When you spot a manatee, just fill out our simple one-page form >>

Register To Vote!
Being an advocate means taking an active part in government. The best way you can do this is register to vote. Go to www.congress.org and then click on your state in the U.S. map. It's that easy!



Thanks for your help and support!