Tara Ingalsbe chose manatees as her senior project and has spent several months as a volunteer intern for Save the Manatee Club. With an avid interest in marine mammals, she hopes to pursue a career in Marine Mammal Veterinary Medicine.

by Tara Ingalsbe

I am a 17 year old senior at Oviedo High School in Central Florida. Every year, seniors at my school are required to do a senior project. The senior project is a comprehensive research project requiring seniors to apply research findings to the world outside the classroom and to develop professional attitudes and skills that will help them succeed in the world beyond high school. The first thing I was instructed to do was choose a topic for the project, making a selection that would fulfill a need or curiosity in my life, and impact me in a positive way. I was very fortunate that my topic chose me.

Since I was a little girl I have had an avid interest in marine mammals, especially those native to Florida. My interest has grown to the point that I have chosen to pursue a career Marine Mammal Veterinary Medicine. Manatees have held a special fascination for me. When it came time to choose the topic for my senior project it was a “no brainer;” I had to choose manatee protection and conservation. I was fortunate to be accepted as a volunteer intern at Save the Manatee Club, and I am privileged to be mentored by Dr. Katie Tripp and Mr. Artie Wong.  

My volunteer internship at Save the Manatee Club with Dr. Tripp and Mr. Wong has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much from them, and they have been incredibly helpful and generous with their time and knowledge in helping me complete my project. I have enjoyed participating in various tasks that have taught me about the various agencies, organizations, laws, and policies that support manatee protection, and the history of these protection efforts in Florida. 

Tara (standing, at left) assists Save the Manatee Club Staff Biologist Artie Wong at a manatee health assessment. (Photo courtesy Tara Ingalsbe)

During my time at Save the Manatee Club, I was extremely fortunate to experience a “manatee capture.” I had never seen a manatee “in the wild” up close before. Not only was I able to see one, I was in the boat with the manatee, recording the heart and respiration rate, oral temperature and carbon dioxide output. What an incredible opportunity!! Going on this manatee capture was probably one of the best experiences I have had in my life.

As part of my senior project, I committed to raising $500 for Save the Manatee Club. I started my fundraising efforts by selling cookies (manatee cut out cookies of course!). I also organized a donation drive at a local Publix supermarket. I was so surprised not only by the interest people had in manatees and their eagerness to support this cause, but also by the people who were willing to give up their free time to pitch in and help me. Through the generosity of a large number of folks, I exceeded my goal of $500.00 and raised $1067.37 and I still have money coming in for the organization!!!

I have been a volunteer intern at Save the Manatee Club now for about nine months and everything I have learned and experienced has elevated my interest in manatees into a passion for this species and its conservation. I have a new appreciation for the threats that manatees face and the importance of the work that is being done by Save the Manatee Club. I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested to apply for a volunteer internship at Save the Manatee Club. The rewards you receive from this experience will far outweigh any time and effort you put into volunteering.

Tara takes her freshly-baked manatee-shaped cookies out of the oven. They were a big hit at her fundraising event at the local Publix supermarket! (Photo courtesy Tara Ingalsbe)

• Get a description of volunteer positions and fill out our online volunteer application form.

• Return to the Manatee News page