Volunteer

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 Meghan Cohorst at mcohorst@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.

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.

This season’s Volunteer Spotlight celebrates dedicated Save the Manatee Club Volunteer Barbara Stewart.

Barbara is an “adopted Floridian,” having spent most of her life in Central Florida and enjoying time in nature and on the water. She started volunteering for Save the Manatee Club several years ago by joining a cleanup event on the St. John’s River. “I share this experience with the public in efforts for them to be more cautious,” Barbara explains. “Many people don’t realize the amount of debris that ends up in our lakes, rivers, and oceans.”

Barbara has since helped out at many Save the Manatee Club events in Central Florida and is always coming up with creative ideas and talking points to educate event visitors and increase fundraising efforts. “My favorite part of volunteering is sharing manatee knowledge and experiences with the public,” she says. One of the ways Barbara helps share the manatee love with the community is promoting the Adopt-A-Manatee® program to support manatee conservation efforts and help the next generation of conservationists learn more. Her adopted manatee is Lily, a frequent visitor of Blue Spring State Park, near Barbara’s home. Her 9- and 14-year-old daughters love watching her. “I would encourage everyone to Adopt-A-Manatee and enjoy the hunt to find them with your loved ones!”

Save the Manatee Club is grateful for Barbara’s enthusiasm for manatees and passion for educating the public about ways they can get involved. Thanks for being a part of the team!

To learn more about volunteering for Save the Manatee Club, visit savethemanatee.org/volunteer.

Join our volunteer team and earn points through the Volunteer Rewards Program to get your free shirt and cap.

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

Manatee Lady: Helen Spivey, one of our most dedicated volunteers, dies at 94

Virtual Volunteers Share the Love>>

Volunteering is Believing You Can Make a Difference>>

Volunteers Pin the Positive!>>

Volunteers Receive Milestone Award>>