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Podcast that inspires the next generation to stay curious. Cultivate Curiosity is brought to you by the Emerald Coast Science Center, a nonprofit.
Interactive science museum and STEAM educational facility in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
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Hi, my name is JC and I'm the Social Media Coordinator here at the Emerald Coast Science Center. Today's episode of Cultivate Curiosity is going to be on Manatee Awareness Month, which is in November. And we're celebrating an exciting milestone this November with the 50th anniversary of Manatee Awareness Month. This month long Observance began in 1974 to raise awareness about the challenges manatees face and what we can all do to protect them. Let's learn about these gentle giants, their natural habitats, some fascinating facts about them, why they're endangered, and how we can help them right here in Okaloosa county, manatees are fascinating creatures. They're large, peaceful mammals that spend most of their time grazing on aquatic plants in Florida's rivers, coastal areas, and estuaries. With their slow, graceful movements and herbivorous diet, they help maintain the health of underwater ecosystems, especially by controlling seagrass growth. That's part of why they're so important to our environment. Seagrasses aren't only food for manatees, they also provide shelter for fish, stabilize the seafloor, and filter pollutants from water, keeping coastal ecosystems balance Here's a unique fact about manatees that might surprise you. Despite their size, they're surprisingly agile swimmers. They can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and stretch up to 13ft long. Yet they're quite graceful underwater, moving with gentle, sweeping motions of their wide, paddled leg tails. Manatees can reach up to 15 mph in short bursts, though they usually swim closer to 3-5 mph. The slow moving, mellow lifestyle has earned them the nickname of sea cows. Now let's talk about one of the key behaviors of manatees their migration pattern. As the weather cools, manatees begin moving toward warmer waters to survive the winter. They're highly sensitive to cold and need to be in water that's at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid cold stress, which can be deadly in Florida, manatees tend to gather near natural warm water springs or seek out artificial warm spots like areas near power plants where the water temperature remains consistently warm even in colder months. One popular wintering spot is Blue Spring State park, where hundreds of manatees gather every year. It's a sight to see. While they may not have any natural predators, manatees are considered vulnerable and face significant threats, mostly due to human activities. Boat strikes are one of the leading causes of manatee injuries and deaths. Manatees often swim close to the water's surface and because they're so large, it can be difficult for them to quickly get out of the way of an oncoming boat. In areas where boat traffic is heavy, this can be a serious problem. Boaters may not see manatees until it's too late, and collisions often result in life threatening injuries for these gentle animals. Another serious threat manatees face is habitat loss. Coastal development, pollution and human activity have led to the destruction and degradation of seagrass beds, manatee's primary food source. In recent years, we've seen devastating die offs of seagrass beds, particularly in the Indian River Lagoon, due to a combination of nutrient pollution and poor water quality. This loss of food can lead to malnutrition and sadly, has led to a significant increase in manatee deaths. Here in Okaloosa county, we're lucky to have manatees visit our waters. We also have a role to play in protecting them. If you enjoy boating, always observe manatee zones and slow down in shallow waters. Keep an eye out for signs of manatees in the area, such as a swirl of water from a manatee's tail or even just the tip of their nose as they surface to breathe. And even if you're not a boater, there are still ways to help. Supporting seagrass restoration projects and reducing your environmental footprint can make a difference. Avoid using fertilizers or pesticides that can run off into the water. And participate in beach and river cleanups to help keep our waterways clear of pollution. Every little effort counts. For anyone interested in supporting manatee conservation more directly, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Many organizations focus on manatee advocacy, rescue and habitat restoration. Volunteering or donating to these groups can support ongoing conservation work and raise awareness. It's truly inspiring to see how far we've come in the past 50 years with efforts to protect these beloved animals. With so many people in organizations dedicated to the cause, there's real hope that future generations will be able to enjoy seeing manatees in the wild. Manatees are more than just gentle giants in our waters. They're a vital part of our ecosystem and a unique part of Florida's natural heritage. As we celebrate this 50th anniversary of Manatee Awareness Month, let's honor these peaceful animals by doing our part to ensure they have a safe and thriving environment. We hope this information inspires you to take action to protect Florida's manatees and spread the word about their importance. Together, we can ensure that they continue to thrive for generations to come. Thank you for listening to this week's episode. We'll be back in two weeks. Until then, stay curious. Thanks for listening to this week's episode of Cultivate Curiosity.
If you have any questions, feel free to email us@socialmediacscience.org Tune in for our next episode in two weeks.