Save the Manatee Club’s Mission on the Space Coast
Brevard County, Florida’s vibrant Space Coast, stretches 72 miles from Titusville to Palm Bay, embracing sandy beaches, the Indian River Lagoon, and the St. Johns River. Amid this diverse ecosystem, the Florida manatee, a gentle giant, finds refuge in our warm waters, grazing on seagrass and seeking sanctuary from winter’s chill. Yet, these beloved creatures face threats from boat strikes, habitat loss, and pollution. Save the Manatee Club, a Longwood, Florida based nonprofit, is leading the charge to protect manatees in Brevard County, and their work is vital to preserving the Space Coast’s natural heritage. At GreenBrevard, we’re proud to spotlight their efforts and invite our community to join the mission to save Brevard’s manatees.
Manatees in Brevard: A Fragile Treasure
Manatees thrive in Brevard’s Indian River Lagoon, a critical habitat where they feed on seagrass and rest in warm-water refuges like the Haulover Canal. However, the Space Coast’s waterways face challenges. Between 2020 and 2022, over 2,500 manatees died statewide, many in the Indian River Lagoon due to starvation from seagrass loss caused by nutrient pollution from runoff and septic systems. Boat strikes are another peril, with 34% of manatee deaths linked to watercraft collisions since 1974. In Brevard, the bustling boating culture amplifies this risk, making conservation urgent.
Save the Manatee Club has long recognized Brevard’s importance to manatee survival. A 2005 GreenBrevard article noted that the county’s habitats are so critical that the Club employs a dedicated staff member to address local issues. Their efforts have secured boat speed zones in Brevard’s waters, reducing collisions, and supported a comprehensive Manatee Protection Plan to safeguard these gentle herbivores.
Save the Manatee Club’s Impact in Brevard
Founded in 1981 by Jimmy Buffett and former Governor Bob Graham, Save the Manatee Club is a global leader in manatee conservation, with over 40,000 members. In Brevard, their work focuses on habitat restoration, research, and public awareness. Their Adopt-A-Manatee® program funds critical initiatives, allowing supporters to adopt manatees like Amelia, rescued in Indian Harbor Beach in 2020 and released after rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando. A 2024 Facebook post celebrated Amelia’s return to Brevard’s waters, highlighting the Club’s success in local rescue efforts.
The Club’s habitat restoration is a game-changer for Brevard. Partnering with the Brevard Zoo’s Restore Our Shores program, they’ve built seagrass nurseries in the Indian River Lagoon, using metal exclusion devices to protect young plants. A 2023 initiative saw 20 Save the Manatee Club volunteers and staff at the Zoo’s Cocoa site, constructing these devices to revive feeding grounds decimated by algal blooms. This work directly addresses the 2021-2022 Unusual Mortality Event, where seagrass loss starved hundreds of manatees in Brevard’s lagoon.
Research is another cornerstone. The Club funds seagrass studies, aerial surveys, and photo-identification projects in Brevard, tracking manatees by their unique scar patterns. Their volunteer sighting network, which logged over 300 reports in 2023, includes Brevard observations shared with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to guide rescues. A 2021 study on Turkey Creek in Brevard documented manatee harassment, leading to stronger local protections.
Brevard’s Community Spirit
Save the Manatee Club’s success in Brevard thrives on community collaboration. Their advocacy for boat speed zones, established through partnerships with local governments, mirrors the Space Coast’s sea turtle ordinances that saved hatchlings by redirecting them to the ocean. During the 2021-2022 winters, the Club supported an FWC-led supplemental feeding trial in Brevard, providing over 600,000 pounds of lettuce near a warm-water site to prevent starvation. Funded partly by private donations, this effort showcased Brevard’s commitment to manatee survival.
The Club’s educational outreach also resonates with Brevard’s eco-conscious spirit. Their “Cool Manatee Stuff” page offers free interactive tools like quizzes and postcards, engaging residents in conservation. A 2023 Wes Skiles Water Stewardship Award recognized their impact, reflecting the Space Coast’s pride in protecting its natural treasures.
Why Brevard Must Act
The Indian River Lagoon, a cornerstone of Brevard’s ecosystem, supports manatees, dolphins, and migratory birds but faces pollution from urban growth. Save the Manatee Club’s work ensures this lagoon remains a sanctuary, boosting eco-tourism and local pride. Their 2025 legal victory for the lagoon, celebrated in a May 2025 Facebook post, strengthened regulations to combat nutrient pollution, directly benefiting Brevard’s manatees. Join Save the Manatee Club!
Adopt a Manatee
Support Brevard manatees like Amelia through the Adopt-A-Manatee® program.
Volunteer
Join local efforts like the Brevard Zoo’s seagrass projects.
Email volunteer@savethemanatee.org to get involved.
Report Sightings
Spot an injured manatee? Call FWC at 1-888-404-FWCC or use the FWC Reporter App.
Spread Awareness
Follow @savethemanatee on Facebook and share posts, like the 2024 Amelia update, to inspire others.
A Brighter Future for Brevard’s Manatees
Save the Manatee Club’s work in Brevard—from seagrass restoration to boat speed zones—embodies the Space Coast’s spirit of innovation and care for nature. At GreenBrevard, we’re inspired by their efforts, just as we are by our community’s sea turtle successes. By supporting the Club, we can ensure our waterways remain a haven for manatees. Adopt a manatee, volunteer, or take the pledge today—together, we can keep the Space Coast a thriving home for these gentle giants.