The series, filmed by Emmy Award-winning conservation filmmaker Tom Fitz of Schoolyard Films, takes viewers behind the scenes of the lagoon to reveal what it takes to protect the waterways, seagrass, wildlife, and habitats that sustain its manatee population and countless other species.
For FOML, sharing the story of efforts to monitor and nurture the health of Lake Worth Lagoon is a direct extension of its mission to educate the community about the environmental challenges facing manatees.
The lagoon’s story comes to life through an intimate look at the ecosystem and the conservation efforts shaping its future. Viewers will get in the water alongside conservationists for an inside look at fish and turtle tagging research, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration and manatee counts, to ensure that today’s environmental decisions create lasting value and strengthen the resilience of the Lake Worth Lagoon and the region’s diverse natural assets for generations to come.
“You can’t care for something you don’t know or feel connected to. This film series invites people to discover our shared aquatic backyard and the conservation work that protects it,” said Sarah Marmion, Executive Director of Friends of Manatee Lagoon. “By showing how a healthy Lake Worth Lagoon—and its seagrass meadows, the primary food source for manatees—supports the wildlife we cherish, we hope these stories inspire a deeper connection to nature and empower more people to steward this extraordinary ecosystem.”
The series is produced in partnership with Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management (PBC ERM), whose scientists and environmental professionals help bring viewers closer to the research, monitoring, restoration, and habitat management efforts that are critical to understanding and protecting the lagoon.
“These films continue the collective work of PBC ERM and Friends of Manatee Lagoon in telling stories about the science, the restoration, and the resilience of our largest estuary, Lake Worth Lagoon,” said Deborah Drum, Director, PBC ERM. “We couldn’t be more excited to see these stories come to life on-screen and share them with the community.”
The series premieres on Friday, November 13, during Friends of Manatee Lagoon’s fifth annual Soirée for Seagrass, a signature Palm Beach conservation event that brings together supporters, conservationists, scientists, community leaders, and advocates for an evening dedicated to protecting the lagoon and the wildlife that depends on it.
The films will become an ongoing educational resource for students and conservation professionals, extending the reach of the stories and the conservation message well beyond the premiere. More information about sponsorships and tickets for the event can be found here.
