ACTION KIDS: You Can Make A Difference Become Involved and Help Improve the World: Think Globally and Act Locally!

As an individual, you have a voice in governmental processes. When you make your wants and needs known, you can improve the world! When you remain silent, you give your power away to others. No one is too young to get involved. Students can participate by researching issues at the local level. They can write letters, send e-mail, and attend county commission or city council meetings. They can help their community make wise choices about environmental protection.

1. Find Out How State and Federal Government Works
You can find information about your state government. For example, the Florida State Government has a web site called Online Sunshine, which is a guide to the Florida Legislature. They have an Online Sunshine for Kids Page where you can find out how a bill becomes a law, look up contact information for your legislator and other interesting facts. They even have games and puzzles! You can also look up information about your state's governor. Florida's governor is Rick Scott, and you can find contact information for Governor Scott at his web site.

You can find information about the federal government by visiting Thomas, a web site for students and teachers created by staff members at the Library of Congress. At Thomas, you can learn about the history of the U.S. Congress, what members of Congress do and how Congress makes laws. You can also find links where you can find your U.S. senators and representative and get their contact information so you can send them a message.

2. Write Letters or Send E-mails to Elected Officials
If you would like to help, you can write a letter or send an e-mail to Florida's governor to show strong support for manatee protection. Next, you can write your U.S. senator and representative. If you live in Florida, you can also write your state senator and representative! Tell these elected officials why you think it is important to save manatees and their habitat and to keep other environmental laws strong. Be creative! You can draw pictures, write letters or poems, and send e-mail.

Tips for Writing Letters to Decision Makers

In addition, there are always a number of issues affecting manatees and their habitat that involve local, state and federal governments. You can visit the Take Action page of the Save the Manatee Club web site to find current information on these issues.

3. Write Letters or Send An E-mail to Your School or Local Paper
You can also help educate others by writing a letter to the editor and sending it to your school or community newspaper. Tell them about manatees, why you think it is important to protect them, and how people in your school or community can help.

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