Governor DeSantis Speaks from Blue Spring State Park; 7 Manatees to be Released Back into the Wild

By Cathy Padilla

Governor Ron DeSantis spoke from Blue Spring State Park Tuesday, February 6, highlighting the successful efforts the State has made to protect and restore the environment, especially the manatees that call Blue Spring State Park home during the winter. Tomorrow, seven rehabilitated manatees will be released into the warm waters of the natural springs after being cared for by Sea World.

The Governor spoke of the record number of manatees who find shelter from the cold waters of winter in the 72 degree Blue Spring waters each year. He renewed his dedication to the project speaking of the $330 million allocated in the State budget toward water quality improvement and the environment. He was joined by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Roger Young and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton.

“Florida’s manatee population continues to strengthen because of our record investments in manatee protection programs and water quality improvements,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am grateful for FWC for their proactive rescue and rehabilitation efforts.”

According to the Governor, in 1970 there were 14 manatees identified as visiting the water of Blue Spring State Park. By 2005 that number had grown to 200. And in the past two months, two records have been set by 736 manatees identified on New Year's Day and a remarkable 932 manatees on January 21, which has so far been the coldest day of the Florida year.

"We had a serious mortality rate with our manatees just a few years ago," said Governor DeSantis. "We decided to find what we could do about it."

The Governor explained that the rise in the manatee population did not happen by accident. Instead he sees it as the result of hard work by the agencies working to restore the sea grass manatees feed upon and the financial investment made by the State in programs to restore and rehabilitate both wildlife and the environment. 

"We invested $325 million for the restoration of Florida's world renowned springs," said Governor DeSantis. "We're really proud of that. We've done more than what we promised."

The State has also invested $163 million since 2019 in water quality projects and an additional $100 million this past December in the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program. Something the Governor labeled as a "historic investment." He went on to say that the Indian River Lagoon is an important part of the entire East coast of the state and that the money budgeted will fuel 21 quality water projects, including in the Mosquito Lagoon area.