JUST IN:  NEW MANATEE AND SEA TURTLE DECALS

August 1, 2003
CONTACT: Bonnie Abellera or
Tim Woody (850) 922-4330

New manatee and sea turtle decals are available at tax collectors’ offices all around the state. Each year, thousands of the popular decals go to individuals who donate at least $5 to the manatee or sea turtle protection programs. The decals provide an important source of funds for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) efforts to protect endangered and threatened manatees and sea turtles. 

This is the 12^th in a series of decals created to raise money for Save the Manatee Trust Fund and Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund. Donations support manatee and turtle research, rehabilitation and educational programs. Decal campaigns usually bring in $140,000 (combined manatee and turtle) and are vital for funding recovery projects.

Kathleen Finch, a 13-year-old eighth-grade student, from West Palm Beach, created the artwork for the manatee decal.  Her watercolor image of a swimming mother and calf manatee was one of 79 designs sent in by Florida middle school art students who entered the decal contest. The new manatee decal features Kathleen’s artwork and the words, “The Manatee – A Florida Treasure,” along with the FWC Resource Protection number 1 (888) 404-FWCC.

The endangered green sea turtle featured on the 2003 sea turtle decal is one of 343 turtles rescued from St. Joseph Bay during a cold-stun event in 2001. When ocean temperatures drop rapidly, sea turtles can become “stunned” by the cold water, and are unable to move. This green sea turtle was rehabilitated and returned to the ocean. The 2003 sea turtle decal is the FWC’s way of saying “thank you” to the 15 state-permitted sea turtle rehabilitation facilities that treat hundreds of sick or injured sea turtles each year.

“Our manatee decal program is one of the exciting ways we reach out to students and make learning about the environment and wildlife a fun thing,” David Arnold, chief of FWC Bureau of Protected Species Management, said. “The sea turtle decal program provides a great opportunity for collectors of wildlife art. This year’s decal is the fourth in a five-part series.”

Arnold said many of the FWC’s turtle and manatee programs would not be possible without revenue produced by decal programs.

BJA/AR/OIS