This is an innovative approach being developed to encourage the 100,000 boaters in the Bay area to slow down in the shallowest coastal areas. This will protect manatees from collisions, as well as protecting seagrass meadows from propeller damage. Seagrass meadows are an important food source for manatees, but also are very important as a nursery area for fish and shrimp species, and a vital feeding area for many kinds of wading birds. Winter is a great time to see manatees congregated together in large numbers on the coldest days. One of the closest places to view wild manatees is at the Manatee Viewing Center at the Tampa Electric Company's Big Bend power plant in Apollo Beach.
Manatees gather there to enjoy the warm water produced as part of electricity generation.
Please join us for what will certainly be an interesting presentation. This year s gathering will be April 14-18 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California. Program and activities are set up for the whole family for a Spring Break by the Ocean. There will be hands-on nature study and fieldtrips, as well as workshops on wetlands, environmental education, creating nature centers, and brainstorming sessions for you to bring home ideas for action to your local community. For the past several years, turtle biologist George L. Heinrich has led an annual SPAS field trip that focuses on Florida turtles.