At Manatee Lagoon, education and conservation flow together

Rachel Shanker, the conservation and education manager and Manatee Master at Manatee Lagoon.

[Photo by Manatee Lagoon]

At Manatee Lagoon, the rhythm of the year follows the migration of one of Florida’s most beloved species. As manatee season winds down and the waters warm, the focus shifts from observation to education, yet the mission of connecting the public with manatees and their ecosystems remains.

For Rachel Shanker, that mission is a profession and a calling.

“Our mission is really to educate the public,” says Shanker, the conservation and education manager and Manatee Master at Manatee Lagoon. “We hope that it inspires them to want to conserve and protect not just manatees, but all of Florida’s wildlife for future generations.”

Manatee Lagoon serves as a hub for public education and observation, coordinating with agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and rehabilitation centers like SeaWorld Orlando.

Such collaboration was displayed recently during the release of a rehabilitated manatee named Jameson, who had been rescued as a malnourished calf and treated before being returned to the wild in Palm Beach County waters.

“It’s so inspiring to see a manatee that has been injured in some way by people be released back into the wild fully healthy and ready to go back to that population,” Shanker says. “Being able to do that alongside the general public is just so heartwarming.”

Upon release, manatees like Jameson are often fitted with tracking devices, allowing scientists to monitor their movements and ensure they are adapting successfully. The process, Shanker notes, is similar to post-operative care in humans, only without the ability to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Jameson’s release comes at a time of cautious optimism for Florida’s manatee population. Just a few years ago, the state experienced a devastating die-off, driven largely by starvation linked to seagrass loss.

Since then, conditions have improved. Seagrass habitats are showing signs of recovery, particularly in areas like the Indian River Lagoon, and the unusual mortality event was officially declared over in 2025.

Still, significant threats remain. While environmental degradation has played a major role, the leading human-related cause of manatee deaths remains boat strikes.

“Over 90% of adult manatees have some sort of boat scar,” Shanker says. “So one thing everybody can do is go slow and look out for them.”

Additional risks include pollution and marine debris, which can entangle or be ingested by wildlife. Reducing single-use plastics and properly disposing of waste are among the simplest but most effective steps people can take.

Manatee Lagoon offers a rare glimpse into the species’ behavior, particularly during colder months. The site’s warm-water outflow, created by a nearby power facility, has become a vital refuge.

“Manatees cannot survive water temperatures below about 68 degrees,” Shanker says. “After a few days of sustained cold, that’s when they gather here.”

FPL power plant at Manatee Lagoon attracts manatees with its warm-water outflow. [Photo by Jillian Cain]

During a recent cold snap, more than 430 manatees were counted at once in the lagoon, underscoring the site’s importance as both habitat and educational resource.

For those unable to visit, the facility offers live manatee cams, streaming above and below the waterline all year and capturing not only manatees, but also sea turtles, sharks and other marine life.

Shanker’s connection to Manatee Lagoon dates back more than a decade. She began as part of the center’s Manatee Masters program, an initiative that trains college students to lead tours, camps and educational programming.

Today, she oversees those programs, guiding a new generation of educators.

“It’s been really cool to see the whole progression of Manatee Lagoon and kind of progress along with it,” she says.

Her career path, she adds, wasn’t defined by a single moment but by a series of experiences — watching visitors connect with wildlife, seeing children inspired by conservation and witnessing the impact of education firsthand.

For Shanker, the future of manatee conservation depends not only on scientists and policymakers, but also on everyday actions taken by the community.

“Education is really key,” she says. “The more we know about these topics, the easier it’s going to be to protect” the manatees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vYyhpjkrA4

That philosophy is evident in the center’s year-round programming, from seasonal manatee viewing to summer camps each June. Even outside peak season, the work continues, building awareness one visitor at a time.

At Manatee Lagoon, conservation is not just about saving a species. It is about creating a lasting connection between people and the environment and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to witness these gentle giants in the wild.