News

Staff Story

By Lisa Hauk, Membership Specialist

Growing up in a rural part of Michigan, I had never heard of, nor seen a picture of, a manatee. I truly didn’t know they existed. And even though I’ve lived in Florida for over 30 years, my journey into the world of manatees didn’t begin until just six years ago.

After 16 years working in the tax and accounting industry, I felt it was time to make a change, but to what, I didn’t know. That’s when my husband saw a job posting for Save the Manatee Club (SMC) and suggested I look into it. Once I researched the organization and their mission—not just to protect manatees, but to preserve their aquatic habitat—I knew I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I was lucky enough to join the SMC “Mana-team,” and it’s been a rewarding experience ever since.

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate most is the network of above- and below-water manatee webcams at Blue Spring, Homosassa Springs, and now Silver Springs state parks. These cameras allow people to witness manatees in their natural environment without interference or harm. Watching them gather during Florida’s colder months is awe-inspiring.

I’ve seen manatees play with palm fronds, pester an alligator, and bounce on a fallen tree like it’s a trampoline. I’ve watched them use their flippers like arms to push off the spring’s bottom or “hug” one another, and I’ve spotted tiny calves cuddled next to their moms. These moments stick with you. The clarity of the webcams allows you to see every scar, whisker, and expression. There’s always something new to discover.

I have learned so much about manatees and their habitat since joining SMC, and viewing manatees through our manatee cams has taught me even more. Did you know manatees have tiny hairs on their body?

My hope is that people who watch the webcams come away with an appreciation for these big bundles of calm and realize how important it is to protect them and their habitats. Watching manatees brings me a sense of peace in a world full of chaos, and I hope others feel that too.