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Current Issues

Help End Harassment in Crystal River, Florida!
Each winter, over 100,000 people visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to snorkel and dive with endangered manatees. Manatees need this wildlife refuge for survival in the winter, and when people try to touch or pursue manatees, they can alter the manatee's behavior in the wild, perhaps causing them to leave a warm water area, which makes them susceptible to potential harm. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently working on a new Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Crystal River NWR. You can help by watching a video on this issue and submitting your comments. Go >>

Help Manatees in Lee County, Florida
A 128-slip marina is being planned just downstream from the Florida Power and Light plant’s warm water discharge, which has attracted nearly 500 manatees to its warm waters during the coldest winter days. If the project goes forward, it will mean an increased risk of injury and death from boat collisions. You can help! >>

Obtain Greater Enforcement of Boat Speed Zones
Cuts in state and federal funding have resulted in fewer on-water law enforcement officers in critical areas of Florida. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, created to safeguard manatees, is one such area. Last July, a mother manatee was horribly injured in the bay by a speeding boat and subsequently died. Go >>

Don't Downlist Manatees!
Despite exploding human population growth and shrinking aquatic habitat in Florida, manatees will lose their protections as a federal endangered species under a new plan prepared by the Bush administration. You can help! Send a quick online letter to decision-makers letting them know you strongly oppose the manatee’s downlisting at this time. Go >>

Updates

Endangered Species Act Update
Last year, it was discovered that highly detrimental changes to the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) had been proposed by officials in the Bush Administration. These changes would remove independent reviews of projects with potential endangered species impacts that have been mandated since the ESA’s inception 35 years ago. Read more >>

Floridians: Thanks for Your Help on Amendment 4
Thank you so much for your support on Amendment 4. Save the Manatee Club joined with numerous environmental organizations to support this non-partisan, practical solution to save Florida's land and wildlife. The measure was approved by over 68% of Florida voters, a "landslide for land conservation."

Good News for Manatees!
Following a request by Florida Governor Charlie Crist, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission deferred the manatee’s status change from Endangered to Threatened. They also directed their staff to undertake a review of the flawed state classification system for ALL imperiled species. Please contact Governor Crist and the FWC to thank them for their strong support of manatees. Go >>

Governor Crist Vetoes Fishing Tournament Facility Project
Last year, Florida Governor Charlie Crist vetoed two state budget items that would have funded a fishing tournament facility and cleared Ocklawaha River for fast-moving boat traffic. Thanks for your help! Your calls and letters let the governor know that you support restoration of the Ocklawaha River. Let's keep the momentum going! Get more info >>

Other Ways to Help Manatees

Sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge!
You can help protect the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a safety net for our nation's wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction. For over 30 years, the ESA has provided critical protections for endangered species and the places where they live. Please sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge (SMC is a member of the Endangered Species Coalition) and show your support. When various threats arise to the Endangered Species Act in the form of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate or negative administrative actions, the conservation community will be able to take the list of pledge supporters to Members of Congress and let them know that their constituents support strong protections for our nation’s endangered fish, plants and wildlife. Go >>

Join the Manatee Sighting Network
Have you seen a manatee in the wild lately? 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. When you spot a manatee, just fill out our simple one-page form >>

Register To Vote!
Being an advocate means taking an active part in government. The best way you can do this is register to vote. Go to www.congress.org and click on "Register to Vote " and then click on your state in the U.S. map. It's that easy!


Thanks for your help and support!