FPL’s Manatee Lagoon Kicks Off the 2023-2024 Manatee Season
with a Weekend Celebration and New Offerings

Center returns to seven days a week operations to accommodate busy manatee season

As the Sunshine State anticipates the return of its favorite marine mammal to local waterways, Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center® kicks off manatee season with a free, family-friendly weekend celebration, complete with a variety of activities, exhibitors and more.

On Saturday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can enjoy free face painting, frozen treats, cornhole and other games. This year’s kick-off theme is “manatee conservation”. The first 200 visitors will receive a free waterproof phone pouch with information on how to report a manatee in distress if seen in the wild.

“We hope visitors who come will enjoy themselves and also learn about what’s happening to manatees in the wild,” said Zack Greenberg, manager of Manatee Lagoon. “At Manatee Lagoon, our goal is to inspire people to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations. Manatees are an iconic part of our local ecosystem, and we do what we can to teach people how they can help.”

The goal of Manatee Season Kickoff is to provide the community with a day of family fun while heightening awareness of manatee conservation efforts in our coastal waters. This event will feature environmental exhibitors from the Carter Viss Foundation, Friends of Manatee Lagoon, John D MacArthur Beach State Park, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, and Lagoon side Chats from Lake Worth Water Keeper and Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management.

Now in its seventh year of manatee education and environmental conservation, Manatee Lagoon is a popular community destination, making it the ideal place for people to learn about these beloved marine mammals. FPL built Manatee Lagoon in 2016 as part of its environmental mission to teach the public about manatees, with a goal of inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations.

In addition to the kickoff event, our facility welcomes visitors to explore and enjoy a variety of exhibits and programs this 2023-24 manatee season including:

• “Lectures at the Lagoon” series: Visitors can enjoy presentations from marine educators, leaders and experts who will speak on a variety of topics, including conservation, local wildlife, boating safety and more. Attendees can register online on the Manatee Lagoon website.
• New indoor exhibit and experiences: Manatee Lagoon’s indoor facility is welcoming a handful of exciting new exhibits and programs, including our “Wonderful World of Seagrasses” exhibit and “Manatee Rescue Adventures” activity.
• In-person school group and summer camp opportunities: As a field trip destination, Manatee Lagoon welcomes school groups to help educate youth about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon. The 90-minute program options offer a look into the world of manatees and their local habitat. For select programs, Manatee Masters will speak on manatee biology and ecology, sharing details about the lagoon’s estuarine habitat, and how students can help protect their local environment.
• Public tours: Manatee Masters, our educational docents, guide visitors on walking tours of Manatee Lagoon’s exhibits, providing insight about “all things manatee” and the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. Tours are open to all ages.
• Outdoor yoga: Every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:45 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m., adult yoga classes are led by certified instructors against the calming backdrop of Lake Worth Lagoon. Advance online registration is required as space is limited, and the event is weather dependent.

Florida’s manatee season runs from Nov. 15 to March 31, when manatees migrate to warmer waters. When the waters of Lake Worth Lagoon dip to 68 degrees or colder, manatees gather in the clean, warm-water outflows surrounding the FPL Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center, adjacent to Manatee Lagoon.