Hobbies And Interests
Save the Manatee Club
The Save the Manatee Club (SMC) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Maitland, Florida. SMC was established in 1981 through a joint effort between singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former US Senator Bob Graham. Irresponsible human activity is the main threat to manatees' survival, causing over 41 percent of manatee deaths since 1974. Manatees are listed as endangered by Florida state, federal and international conservation authorities. The Save the Manatee Club works to save endangered manatees in Florida and their ecosystem by protecting adequate habitat, curbing human-caused harassment of manatees and securing sufficient regulation to ensure the species' long-term survival. The SMC sponsors research, rescue, education and rehabilitation efforts in Florida and international manatee habitats, as well as campaigning for strong protection measures throughout Florida.
Sea Turtle Conservancy
Like the SMC, the Sea Turtle Conservancy concentrates on science-based conservation efforts. Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, the Sea Turtle Conservancy is the world's oldest sea turtle conservation and research organization. The Conservancy was founded in 1959 by Dr. Archie Carr, and has been instrumental in ensuring the survival of the Caribbean Green Turtle. Extensively funding research, tracking, monitoring and habitat preservation efforts, the Sea Turtle Conservancy works to protect turtles throughout Florida, Costa Rica, Central America and the wider Caribbean. The Sea Turtle Conservancy also has a number of outreach and educational programs for participants of all ages.
Florida Audubon Society
The Audubon Society was formed in 1886 by George Bird Grinnell, but the official Florida chapter came several years later. Since 1900, the Florida Audubon Society has pushed for strong protective legislation against poaching, pesticides and illegal animal trades. In the last 20 years, however, the Florida Audubon Society has mainly concentrated on protecting Florida's swamps and everglade forests, which are host to multiple endangered species, through funding and regulation. Endangered species that rely on the swamps and everglades in Florida include various plant species, American alligators, piping plovers, bald eagles, Florida panthers and manatees.
Disney World Wide Conservation Fund
The Disney World Wide Conservation Fund is a massive conservation effort organized by the Walt Disney Company. As the name suggests, the fund supports conservation organizations and efforts across the world, though the company also concentrates efforts in Florida as a part of various Walt Disney World attractions and destinations. The Disney World Wide Conservation Fund is an important contributor to Florida manatee and sea turtle conservation efforts, as well as reef conservation throughout Florida and the Bahamas. The fund has provided more than $2.9 million to ocean conservation, over $700 000 to reef conservation and over $800 000 to sea turtle conservation since 1995.