We could use your help to educate others about manatees! Come volunteer with us as we set up education booths across the state at a variety of festivals and fairs. If you’re passionate about manatees and have some time to spare, fill out our Online Volunteer Application (see link on this page).
We Need Volunteers!
You can help Save the Manatee Club by becoming a Club volunteer. SMC volunteers staff tables at manatee-related events, engage in speaking presentations, help out in the SMC offices, write letters and send e-mails on issues of concern to manatees, and report information to manatee researchers. You can make a difference for manatees!
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our Online Volunteer Application.
For those wishing to inquire about earning community service hours at the Club’s office in Maitland, Florida, please do not fill out the Online Volunteer Application form. For eligibility and availability, contact Janice Nearing, the Club’s Volunteer Activities Coordinator, at jnearing@savethemanatee.org or call 407-539-0990.
Save the Manatee Club’s volunteers – experienced ones, new ones, and those who volunteer when time permits – are all equally valued and appreciated. The selfless commitment and efforts of each individual volunteer contributes tremendously to the Club’s mission. A round of applause to them all!
Kristina Harper, a native of Chicago who moved to South Florida with her family when she was 16, has been a part of our volunteer team since 2009. Years ago, Kristina’s daughter, knowing how much her mom loves wildlife and conservation, gave her a manatee adoption from Save the Manatee Club. “I was thrilled with my gift and decided that I had to meet my new manatee daughter, Ariel, at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park,” says Kristina. “I was so moved upon seeing Ariel and the other manatees living there. They are delightful creatures, so innocent and vulnerable. It was then that I felt the desire to volunteer with the Club. I wanted to do my part to protect them.”
Volunteering at various events around her community gave Kristina the opportunity she was looking for to help the manatees. “I can inform festival-goers at the Club’s education tables about our wonderful aquatic neighbors living amongst us,” Kristina explains. “I am grateful for the volunteering opportunities that Save the Manatee Club makes available to lovers of these special marine mammals who grace Florida’s waterways.”
Kathleen Phillips, a long-time volunteer from Palm Beach County, often volunteers with Kristina at festivals within their area. “Kristina is very passionate about manatees and she even rented a car one time to get to a volunteer event because her car was in the shop,” said Kathleen.
In addition to Kristina’s attachment and devotion to the manatees, she also enjoys swimming in the ocean in South Florida. She makes a yearly trip to Monterey Bay, California to watch the Humpback whales and other marine mammals who live in that part of the Pacific Ocean. While visiting California, she also goes hiking in the Redwood forests.
“My hope is that through education, more and more people will come to appreciate and respect the manatees, these fascinating Florida mermaids, and take joy in observing their wonderful behavior,” adds Kristina.
“In appreciation for the Kristina’s volunteer work and good stewardship, the Club presents her with this special Save the Manatee Club metal ornament in recognition as a “Volunteer of the Month” recipient.
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