Mia’s Map: Tracking “Save Manatees” Stamps Nationwide to Raise Awareness

A new stamp to promote protection for Florida’s manatees made its debut this month and we are tracking how it's raising awareness across the country with a new map inside Manatee Lagoon named, Mia’s Map.

We teamed up with the United States Postal Service to celebrate the launch of the new “Save Manatees” stamp. The stamp launch coincided with Manatee Appreciation Day on March 27, aiming to raise awareness about our gentle giants. The last time USPS featured a manatee on a postage stamp was in 1996. The collaboration with Manatee Lagoon for the stamp’s celebration launch aligns with the center’s commitment to promoting environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.

“We hope this stamp inspires the community to take action to protect our Florida manatees,” Zack Greenberg, manager of Manatee Lagoon said. “Our mission is to raise awareness of the need for conservation efforts and provide an example to the public on how sustainability efforts now are helpful for future generations.”

The Postal Service gifted Manatee Lagoon an oversized commemorative “Save Manatees” stamp as a token of appreciation. Terri Calleson with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Amber Howell with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Matt Horne, a volunteer with Friends of Manatee Lagoon, were honored at the launch party for their work in the community and were gifted commemorative framed stamps.

During the launch party, guests received the new stamps and were encouraged to write a postcard. Mia the Manatee then helped collect them and loaded the bin full of cards in the Postal Service van to be shipped out.

Anyone who uses one of these new stamps is encouraged to visit Manatee Lagoon and place an envelope sticker on "Mia’s Map" to mark your letter's destination.

Your support will help track our nationwide impact and raise awareness for these amazing marine mammals! Mia's Map will be on display through June 30th, 2024. Please visit the gift shop inside to ask for an envelope sticker for Mia’s Map.