type of formal, structured curriculum offered by the center has proven to be very

effective in changing the behaviors and attitudes of school children (Zelezny 1999).

 Past studies have shown that outreach programs of this multi-faceted type, reaching

out to different groups of people, have proven to be effective (Morse, 1996).

 Save the Manatee Club

 Save the Manatee Club was established in 1981 by former Florida Governor Bob

Graham and singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett. SMC was started so the public could

participate in conservation efforts to save endangered manatees from extinction. SMC is

a membership-based, national nonprofit organization. The funds from their

Adopt-A-Manatee Program go toward public awareness and education projects; manatee

research; rescue and rehabilitation efforts; advocacy and legal action in order to ensure

better protection for manatees and their habitat. Presently there are approximately 40,000

members (www.savethemanatee.org)

 SMC releases information regarding current manatee issues to the press on a

regular basis. They produce signs alerting people to the presence of manatees on Florida

waterways, and produce waterproof decals for boats that offer tips on how to reduce

harm to manatees. SMC, in conjunction with other groups, has produced numerous

brochures, focusing on boating safety and manatee harassment. SMC, together with the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have co-funded a manatee information radio station in

Crystal River Florida, which informs the public on how to act around manatees. SMC

also maintains a web site devoted to manatee ecology, information, threats, current

issues, and conservation efforts.

 Much of the SMC educational efforts have been focused on school children in

Florida. Students can download information form the web, or send away for student