St. Johns River Water Management District outreach staff engaging with families at an outdoor educational booth under a blue canopy tent, with children and adults gathered around tables displaying informational materials and activities

At Blue Spring, manatees inspire conversations about water and conservation

Each January, the Manatee Festival in Orange City celebrates one of Florida’s most beloved winter visitors and offers the public a front-row seat to see them gathered in the warm waters of Blue Spring State Park. On colder days, the park reaches capacity early as visitors arrive eager to catch a glimpse of the gentle giants, and the festival itself draws thousands.

That excitement creates a unique opportunity to connect people with the bigger picture behind what they’re seeing, from clean water and healthy habitat to the everyday actions that help protect Florida’s natural resources.

Four St. Johns River Water Management District staff members pose with a manatee mascot wearing a ranger hat and Florida State Parks uniform at an outdoor community event“People, especially kids, already know and love manatees so they’re an easy way to start conversations,” said Chelsea Jarrell, marketing coordinator for the St. Johns River Water Management District (District). “We can talk about why manatees need clean water and a safe environment and then connect that back to the water people use every day in their own homes.”

The District was one of many informational booths at the annual two-day Manatee Festival, and the Education and Outreach team welcomed staff from across the organization who volunteered to help engage with the public. Over the busy weekend, they had more than 1,300 visitors approach their table to learn about Blue Spring, the aquifer, the St. Johns River and the District’s role in protecting water resources. While many attendees were from the Sunshine State, others had traveled from much farther away.

“We talked to people from Poland, Greece, Italy and France, along with people from the Midwest, the Northeast, Hawaii and all over Florida,” said Erin Reichel, an education and outreach coordinator for the District. “Some knew exactly who we are, but others were interested to learn about the role of water management districts in Florida.”

St. Johns River Water Management District staff and volunteers engage with community members at an informational booth under a blue tent, with visitors examining educational materials on a branded tableInteractive displays helped draw people in and spark curiosity. Limestone core samples, pulled from the aquifer at depths of 170, 520 and 750 feet, gave visitors a hands-on way to learn how groundwater is stored beneath the surface. Guests could feel the difference in density between limestone layers while staff explained how those underground systems supply drinking water.

“Being able to touch the core samples really helps people understand where their water comes from,” said Reichel. “Pairing that with visuals and conversation makes it click.”

A spinning trivia wheel brought out the competitive side of many visitors, with both kids and adults eager to test their knowledge. One fact in particular surprised nearly everyone: approximately 100 million gallons of water flow out of Blue Spring every day.

“It really blew people’s minds,” said Ali Pressel, District education and outreach coordinator. “They could learn that fact and then walk down the boardwalk to see the spring where that water is actually flowing. That connection helped the message sink in; it was a big ‘aha’ moment.”

For many staff members, the setting itself made the weekend especially meaningful.

A group of manatees resting in the clear, turquoise waters of a Florida spring, with a natural shoreline of limestone rocks, palm trees, and Spanish moss-draped oak trees“There’s something really special about this event,” said Pressel. “We’re set up just steps from the spring, with manatees right there in the water. While we’re talking with visitors, we can look up and see what we’re working to protect and that makes the message feel real.”

District Hydrologist Chris Ge spent his Saturday at the festival because he believes community engagement is an essential part of the job.

“We do important work every day, but coming out and engaging with the public like this puts it into perspective,” said Ge. “Seeing the manatees in their natural environment really reinforces why our work matters and it’s great seeing all the concerned citizens who care about where they live and learning more.”

That connection between science, stewardship and community was a recurring theme throughout the weekend, and District Social Media Coordinator Corey Finton saw it firsthand.

“It puts a face to our organization,” said Finton. “The work we do in water quality, water supply, flood protection and natural systems supports so many things, including the manatees that depend on Blue Spring. Events like this help people see how it all fits together.”

See our past stories