Manatee Protection Plan Education and Awareness
2020 NACo Achievement Award Winner
Broward County, Fla., FL
Best In Category
About the Program
Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)
Year: 2020
Broward Countyâs Manatee Protection Planâs (MPP) Education and Awareness component has been redesigned and implemented with the intent of reducing, and possibly eliminating, watercraft-related manatee mortality in the Countyâs waterways. The intent of the component is to inform the residents and visitors, with an emphasis toward boaters, of the presence of manatees and conservation measures implemented for their protection. Over time, since approval of the MPP and implementation of the Education and Awareness (EA) component, circumstances changed necessitating a revision of the EA component. The revision process began in 2018 with conservation measures including radio media messaging âadvertisementâ, informational signs at boat ramps and marine facilities, brochures for distribution by marine facilities and marine law enforcement, and giveaway items to encourage boaters to go âplastic freeâ.