Blue Spring State Park, FL and the Save the Manatee Club
Blue Spring State Park is located west of State Road 17-92 in Orange City, FL, only 30 miles north of Orlando. It is the key of the Save the Manatee program as 20 of the 30 manatees up for adoption stay here.
Winter is the best time to see manatees as they leave the St. Johns River for Blue Spring from November to March. They are most active in the morning when they move around to feed and during afternoons they rest along the banks.
The Ranger there, Wayne Hartley, entered the Florida park service back in 1974 and has worked with the manatees since 1979 (his arrival at Blue Spring). He is responsible for reporting info on the manatees at Blue Spring to the US Geological Survey’s Sirenia Project, SMC, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Blue Spring State Park has wonderful beauty with a boardwalk and nature trail along the length of the spring. It is open from 8am to sundown, admission changes and you can call for that information.
Blue Spring State Park
2100 West French Avenue
Orange City, FL 32763
904-775-3663
Blue Spring State Park is a contributing park to the “Save the manatee club” which was started back in 1981 with only a few members. It is the key of the Save the Manatee program as 20 of the 30 manatees up for adoption stay here. Winter is the best time to see manatees as they leave the St. Johns River for Blue Spring from November to March. They are most active in the morning when they move around to feed and during afternoons they rest along the banks. Jimmy Buffett is the co-founder and co-chairman of the organization. Currently, there are about 40,000 SMC members.
There are 30 manatees in the Adopt-a-Manatee program, and for $20 or $25 a year you get an adoption kit for the manatee you choose. Mine came with a photo, official adoption certificate, and a biography. In addition you receive a “Manatee Zone” newsletter and membership handbook that is full of facts, information, laws and tips.
If you decide to adopt one of the manatees, you have a choice. They give brief bios and the names of the ones up for adoption and currently are located in three areas of Florida. Currently the sites are Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, Blue Spring State Park, and the Tampa Electric Company’s Manatee Viewing Center.
Winter is the best time to see manatees as they leave the St. Johns River for Blue Spring from November to March. They are most active in the morning when they move around to feed and during afternoons they rest along the banks.
The Website (www.savethemanatee.org) offers many ways that you can get involved in this highly needed area. There are press kits and educational activities as well.
For more information:
Save the Manatee Club
500 North Maitland Avenue
Maitland, FL 32751
1-800-432-JOIN
