THE WEST COAST MANATEE ORGANIZATION
Mission Statement, Goals, Purpose
Here at the West Coast Manatee Organization, we strive to do everything we can to help protect and rehabilitate manatees from the other side of the country. We send our donations to the Save the Manatee Club, where they then put the money towards raising community awareness of the manatees and their habitat, protecting their environment and bringing people together.
In addition, our purpose is to raise awareness of endangerment of the manatees on the other side of the country. We hope to educate those along the west coast about the struggles manatees face, connecting both sides of the country.
Where are we based?
Our organization operates in Southern California, where the weather is very similar to Florida, except less humid and more hot.
Why manatees?
The threat manatees face is a clear example of global warming affecting their environment. By raising awareness about manatees, we also raise awareness about climate change and our role in it. Plus, we love manatees and their gentle nature!
Who is the head of our organization?
My name is Matthew Le, and I am the founder and head of the W.C.M.O. My love for manatees began way back in 2013, and I had dreamt of making a difference in the manatee community. For years, I watched from the other side of the country as manatees were constantly being moved from the threatened to the endangered list. I first created this website in 2017 as a mere idea, but the realization dawned on me that I could make my dreams a reality. Although I may only be 14 years of age, I know that alongside my family I can make a difference for manatees.
*Five years later, same message. -Matthew
When and how were we created?
The idea of creating this organization originated back in 2016, but the actual efforts to establish the organization began in 2017. We began by establishing a website and networking our organization to the public. In addition, we are in partnership with the 'Save the Manatee Club', a major organization in Florida with the same goals and ideas as us.
Future plans?
We hope to expand our organization throughout Southern California, and we hope to establish further connections with more organizations in Florida who also strive to bring protection to the manatees. We wish to bring awareness and conscientiousness of our carbon footprint and how it affects creatures like manatees. In addition, we are aiming towards not only the creation of more stringent laws protecting the manatees' habitats, but to move manatees off the endangered species list altogether.