We could use your help to educate others! If you’re passionate about manatees and have some time to spare, fill out our general Online Volunteer Application (see link on this page). Scroll down for a list of volunteer positions.
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our general Online Volunteer Application.
For those wishing to inquire about earning court-ordered community service hours at the Club’s office in Maitland, Florida, please do not fill out the Online Volunteer Application form. Please click the following link to download the Court-Ordered Community Service form. (Note: the form is fillable.) For eligibility and availability, contact Ally Greco, the Club’s Volunteer Activities Coordinator, at agreco@savethemanatee.org or call 407-539-0990. Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri.
This season’s Volunteer Spotlight celebrates dedicated Save the Manatee Club (SMC) Volunteer Shari Dworkin-Smith. Shari grew up in Florida but has lived all over the United States, “literally from Maine to California,” she says. After high school, she didn’t return to Florida until she was married with children, but after learning about SMC’s Manatee Observer Program, she knew she had to be involved.
Shari and her husband Rob joined the team of Manatee Observers at Blue Spring State Park and have also helped with several SMC events. “I love teaching people about the manatees,” Shari explains. “It’s always so fun to watch people’s reactions to them when they can see them at the park.” One of her favorite moments on the Manatee Observer kayak was when manatee Annie and her calf approached her and checked her out, with Annie being protective of the calf. “I just had to laugh, because moms are moms wherever you go.”
This year, Shari has also been volunteering virtually by giving online presentations to school classrooms and other groups. Her presentations are full of interesting information about manatees and stories from helping out at Blue Spring. She has been a great role model for new volunteers who watch her presentations while training to do their own.
We’re grateful Shari finds time to volunteer for SMC on top of her roles as a director for a cosmetic company and as a psychic medium. Outside of work and volunteering, Shari loves spending time kayaking, reading, writing, crocheting, watching old movies and snuggling with her three dogs and two cats.
To learn more about volunteering for Save the Manatee Club, visit savethemanatee.org/volunteer.
Melissa and Mike Fishman from Rockledge in Brevard County, Florida wear their volunteer T-shirts and caps whenever they table at events for Save the Manatee Club. Join our volunteer team and earn points through the Volunteer Rewards Program to get your free shirt and cap.
Learn More
Earn It, Pin It, Show It!
Save the Manatee Club presents a variety of service pins to further recognize and honor the efforts and importance of our loyal volunteer/members. The special, customized pins are earned by registered volunteers who staff education tables for the Club at events, help out in our Maitland office, or give manatee presentations for the Club at local schools, libraries, etc. Wear the pins on the Club’s lanyard which holds the volunteer name tag, or on the Club’s volunteer cap or t-shirt.
See the Pins
Blue Spring Manatee Observer Volunteer:
This position is open to residents of Volusia, Orange, Lake and Seminole Counties between the months of April – October. Manatee Observer Volunteers will educate visitors and help prevent manatee harassment at Blue Spring State Park during the summer months if manatees enter the spring run. Volunteers may be pre-scheduled or called on short-notice to assist at the park. Mandatory orientation sessions are offered in the spring. Volunteers can assist from the boardwalk or from a kayak. Mandatory kayak training is also offered in the spring. Click the following link to read more about the Manatee Observer Program. For detailed information on this position please email Cora Berchem at cberchem@savethemanatee.org.
Grassroots Activism (E-mail Action Alert Team):
This position is available for volunteers living both in and outside of Florida who have access to e-mail. There is no age or membership requirement for grassroots activism volunteers. This is a critical way you can help manatees. Write, fax, or e-mail policy makers at all levels of government and let them know you support strong manatee protection measures. We will e-mail notices of manatee issues that require your help.
Festivals:
This position is available for Florida residents who are 18 years of age or older (must also have a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance). Save the Manatee Club asks festival volunteers to become a member, which means they Adopt-A-Manatee for themselves or as a gift (starting at a $25 donation). Festival volunteers staff information tables at manatee-related events year-round. They provide information on the Club and manatees to the public and should be knowledgeable (or eager to learn) about protecting manatees and their aquatic habitat. Days and times of festivals vary. This requires a minimum of 2-4 hours per festival.
In-Office:
This position is available for Florida residents in the Maitland, Florida area who are 16 years of age or older. There is no membership requirement for in-office volunteers. Volunteers help our team with various office tasks such as preparing mailing orders, folding brochures, quality checking items, organizing event materials, and more. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Flexible schedule).
Manatee Sighting Network:
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. There is no membership requirement for manatee sighting network volunteers.
Speaking Presentations:
This position is available for volunteers 18 or older, living both in and outside of Florida. There is no membership requirement for volunteer presenters. Volunteers present about manatees and the Club to schools and other public groups, both virtually and in person. They should be knowledgeable (or eager to learn) about protecting manatees and their aquatic habitat. Materials will be provided.
Manatee Outreach Ambassador:
This position is available for volunteers living both in and outside of Florida, and a great opportunity for those who visit Florida. There is no age or membership requirement. Manatee Outreach Ambassadors will help Save the Manatee Club find public places to provide manatee information and outreach material, such as parks, marinas, tour operators, visitor centers, schools, and more. They will email suggestions to SMC staff. Training will be provided.