Florida Manatee
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Protecting a gentle giant Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Our environmental promise ® The Florida manatee is a large marine mammal that Eco-Discovery Center At FPL, we understand that caring for the environment is just as important as providing can reach 3,500 pounds and more than 12 feet Visit this “edutainment” center in Palm Beach customers with affordable, reliable power, now long. These gentle, inquisitive marine mammals County. The 16,000-square-foot center features and in the future. were once hunted for their meat and hides. This, engaging hands-on exhibits where visitors learn in part, led to a significant decline in the manatee about these protected and unique creatures as This is reflected in our efforts to protect the air we population, and its eventual protection under well as the natural wonders of the surrounding breathe, the water and land we use and the plants Federal and State laws. Since being listed, the Lake Worth Lagoon. Outdoor observation decks and animals that share our planet. As a clean- manatee population in Florida has increased; allow up-close views of manatees on cold winter energy company, we’re committed and dedicated however, manatees are still protected. days as they bask in the warm water outflows of to minimizing our impact on the environment and the place we all call home. As of 2017, the population in Florida is estimated FPL’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation at more than 6,620; however, impacts from Clean Energy Center. Manatee Lagoon is located at FPL and the NextEra Energy family of companies Florida’s increasing human activity, cold stress, 6000 N. Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach. The center embrace an environmental policy that is part of a red tide and habitat threats pose challenges to offers year-round programs for the entire family. Go company-wide Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. this peaceful mammal. to VisitManateeLagoon.com for the latest offerings. Each year, every employee reaffirms this pledge Admission and parking are free. in writing. Florida Power & Light Company supports manatee research through aerial surveys at its facilities to How can you help? help assess the health of manatee herds. » Follow all signs when boating in Our promise in action waters inhabited by manatees. Manatees are seriously injured or Our passion for protecting the environment is very personal. After all, we live here too. Wildlife Alert: killed due to collisions with boats. 1-888-404-FWCC cell *FWC or #FWC (3922) Report collisions, sick, dead or injured mana » Purchase a “Save the Manatee” and any wildlife or boating law violations.tees That’s why we work closely with federal, state and license plate. Funds from the sale community organizations to help minimize impacts support manatee research and conservation on natural resources and protect the Sunshine programs across the state. State’s wild treasures. In addition, we’re constantly working to improve our standards by building cleaner power plants. Through our environmental programs, we’re helping to minimize habitat loss from construction and Florida Manatee reduce water use. We work every day to make the Sunshine State a better place for all of us, including our wild treasures like the Florida manatee. For more information on the Florida manatee Changing the way Resources and other Florida wildlife, please visit FPL.com/manatee Courtesy of FPL Manatee Lagoon: we can all help protect VisitManateeLagoon.com Manatees are susceptible to cold Florida’s wild treasures temperatures. When the water temperature Florida Power & Light Company: drops into the low 60s, manatees can FPL.com/manatee experience cold stress and possibly die if they Marine Mammal Commission: do not find warmer waters. During the winter, mmc.gov many manatees take refuge near coastal power plants that cycle water to cool their Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: systems. The outflows produce warm-water myfwc.com havens even on the coldest days. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: fws.gov EN001-1708_42734 Tallahassee Jacksonville Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park Lake City Atlantic Wakulla and Ocean St. Marks Rivers Fanning Springs State Park Manatee Springs State Park and Ocala Chassahowitzka NWR Daytona Beach Blue Spring Gulf of State Park Merritt Mexico Crystal River Island NWR Homosassa Springs Orlando FPL Cape Canaveral Next Generation Clean Energy Center Melbourne Spring Bayou Tampa St. Petersburg Big Bend Power Station Port St. Lucie Seasonal Warm-Water FPL Manatee Lagoon and Manatee Gathering Areas FPL Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center West Palm FPL Fort Myers Plant Beach FPL’s Warm-Water Fort Myers Manatee Gathering Areas Lee County Manatee Park Fort Lauderdale FPL Port Everglades Next Naples Generation Clean Energy Center FPL Lauderdale Plant Seasonal Port of the Islands Warm-Water Manatee Miami Gathering Areas Key West Deutsch, C.J., and J.E. Reynolds, III. 2012. Florida manatee status and conservation issues. IN: Hines, E., J.E. Reynolds, III, A. A. Mignucci-Giannoni, L. V. Aragones, and M. Marmontel (eds.). Sirenian Conservation: Issues and Strategies in Developing Countries. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. Manatee Facts ✹ One of the manatee’s closest modern relatives is the elephant Timeline 1973 1979 2001 2010 2016 2017 Federal Endangered Florida Fish & Recorded Recorded Manatee Reclassified Species Act of Wildlife Conservation minimum minimum Lagoon from ✹ Manatees typically move slowly, but 1973 became law Commission listed population population opens endangered to can swim up to 20 miles per hour manatee as estimate of estimate of threatened by endangered species 3,300 manatees 5,077 manatees the U.S. Fish & in Florida Wildlife Service ✹ Adult manatees have no natural predators 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 www.FPL.com/manatee 1972 1975 1977–1978 1978 1996 2010 2017 Federal Manatee FPL started Florida Recorded 282 cold-stress Recorded Marine designated manatee Manatee minimum manatee deaths minimum Mammal as Florida surveys at its Sanctuary population reported population Protection State Marine power plant Act passed estimate of estimate of 6,620 Act passed Mammal locations 2,630 manatees manatees Blue Spring State Park .