Manatees, sea turtles featured in annual FWC decal, conservation initiative

An annual animal conservation initiative in the state will help two Florida creatures receive more care. State wildlife officials hope for public involvement and offer some fun stickers for those who participate.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rolled out its annual animal decal program to help with animal conservation in the state. This year, new editions of collectible FWC stickers will feature manatees and sea turtles.

“Proudly displaying your manatee or sea turtle decal is a great way to raise awareness about the challenges facing these iconic Florida species,” said Ron Mezich in the press release, who leads the FWC’s imperiled species management section. “And even more importantly, all proceeds from the decals go directly to helping these species and conserving their habitats.”

According to the FWC press release, “the high quality, waterproof stickers feature beautiful original artwork and are designed to look good on a vehicle’s bumper or the side of a boat. They can also be found on laptops, water bottles and coolers throughout the state and around the world.”

New editions of the decals are released every July and are available with a $5 donation online or at a local tax collector’s office.

FWC says the decals also spotlight important conservation issues:

• The “Observe with Care” decal shows an adult manatee and calf swimming above a bed of sea grass. In the 1960s, legendary wildlife researcher Jacques-Yves Cousteau helped raise awareness about Florida manatees worldwide. Today, you can continue this legacy of manatee conservation by always using caution when boating, enjoying these amazing animals from a distance, and encouraging your friends and family to do the same.
• The “Protect Florida Sea Turtles” decal features a close-up photo of a loggerhead hatchling. There are many ways you can help protect sea turtles, including keeping the beach dark by not using lights or lit cell phones at night. Also, “clear the way at the end of the day” – when you leave the beach after a day of fun, always make sure to fill in any holes, pick up trash, and put away toys and furniture. It can make a big difference for sea turtles!

More about how to conserve manatees and sea turtles can be found at MyFWC.com/Manatee or MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle. To view and order past editions of decals from 1992 through 2019, type “decals” in the search box at MyFWC.com.

Support for the featured species can also be made when buying a “Save the Manatee” or “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” license plate at a local Tax Collector’s office.

If you see a dead, sick or injured manatee or sea turtle, call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).