It’s Manatee Awareness Month: Here’s how you can help

ORLANDO, Fla. — November is Manatee Awareness Month, and Maitland-based Save the Manatee Club is offering tips to celebrate and protect Florida’s beloved marine mammal.

“The best way to protect manatees is for the public to learn about their plight and how protecting them is in all our best interests if we care about healthy aquatic ecosystems,” said Patrick Rose, executive director of Save the Manatee Club.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Club officials said the public can be actively engaged in manatee and habitat protection during Manatee Awareness Month and throughout the year by getting a hold of the club’s free waterway signage, boating banners and decals, waterway cards, and educational posters.

READ: Wildlife officials brainstorming how to prevent record-number manatee deaths

The shoreline property signs warn boaters to slow down for manatees and feature the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s hotline number (1-888-404-3922) to report sick, injured, orphaned or harassed manatees.

“Whether passively observing the beauty of our waterways or actively engaged in water-related activities such as boating, fishing, or diving, we should understand our role as responsible stewards of manatees and their habitat and how we can help protect those things we hold dear,” Rose said.

READ: Once-orphaned manatee found starving near Indian River power plant, rescued for second time

Click here for more information.

WATCH: Skywitness 9 flies over Blue Spring manatees Skywitness 9 flew over the manatees at Blue Spring.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 4

Manatee rescue Officials with the Save the Manatee Club said a pair of manatees were rescued from Blue Spring State Park in March after researchers noticed Mandy showed signs of emaciation. (Save the Manatee Club)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.