In case you missed it, June is World Ocean Month, and here in Florida, we know how critical our waters are. Not just for recreation and our economy, but for all of the incredible wildlife that call our waterways home, including manatees. As I’ve always said, manatees are the canaries in the coal mine—when it comes to clean water, they tell us whether or not we’re successful. 

Across our district, passionate advocates work every day to restore and protect manatees that've been harmed by toxic discharges and declining water quality. One of these champions is the Manatee Center in Ft. Pierce, which plays a vital role in educating our communities about the importance of conservation and protecting the Indian River Lagoon— or what they proudly call “the cradle of the sea.”  

As a Co-Chair of the bipartisan Estuaries Caucus, I’m proud to represent the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America. But our national treasure is under attack. Habitat loss, pollution, and harmful algal blooms are destroying its seagrass beds. For manatees, this means losing a primary food source that risks their survival. 

The dedicated team at the Manatee Center is on the front lines of our fight. Through educational programs like exhibitions, lectures, and hands-on programming, they are inspiring the next generation of Floridians to become stewards of our waterways. As one volunteer put it, “whether it’s participating in clean-up efforts or helping with research, everything we do directly impacts the health of our waterways.” 

I’m proud to stand with the staff, volunteers, and leaders at the Manatee Center. And I’ll continue our fight in Congress on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to protect our water, defend the Lagoon, and preserve the manatees’ natural habitat. 

Let’s keep up the fight. For the manatees, our water, and our future.