Florida’s ‘Protect Marine Wildlife’ Specialty License Plate Awards nearly $140,000 for Florida Conservation Initiatives

​The Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance (PWDA) , a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, has awarded nearly $140,000.00 in grants during 2023-2024 to protect and preserve marine wildlife and coastal habitats across Florida. These grants advance critical scientific research, rescue operations, and educational initiatives supporting dolphins, sea turtles, shorebirds and will benefit all marine wildlife in Florida. All funding was generated from sales of the ‘Protect Marine Wildlife’ specialty license plate which was spearheaded by State Representative Jim Mooney (R-Florida Keys), sponsored by Rep Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) and Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Lady Lake), approved by the Florida State Legislature and launched in 2023.

​Through strategic partnerships with leading research institutions, rescue organizations, and education providers, Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc continues its mission to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations. Florida's marine wildlife is vital to the ecosystem because it helps maintain the balance of the ocean's complex food web. The diverse marine life in Florida's coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests provides food, habitat, and other benefits. 

Other larger organizations, such as Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute (HSRI), are anticipating changes in federal spending that could significantly impact their ability to conduct critical conservation research. According to an appeal sent out by HSRI on February 10th, 2025, over 90% of their research budget is reliant upon competitive grants, and a reduction is a threat to their ability to plan and execute essential research projects.

​Grant awards from the 'Protect Marine Wildlife' specialty license plate include support for ongoing dolphin population and behavioral ecology program in the Upper Florida Keys through enhanced technologies for dolphin population studies; capacity building for marine mammal research in Florida Bay through Florida Bay small Cetacean remote biopsy sampling; and, comparative acoustic monitoring between wild dolphins and managed care environments through bioacoustics research analysis. 

​Grant recipients include Florida Institute of Technology, University of Florida - UF Animal Rescue, Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, The Turtle Hospital, The Coastal Stewards, and Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder. Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance also supported Clearwater Marine Aquarium through a $25,000 hurricane relief and disaster recovery grant for emergency care support for threatened, endangered, and protected marine wildlife.

​These ongoing grants represent Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance commitment to supporting marine wildlife conservation through scientific research, rescue operations, educational outreach, and direct conservation efforts. Each project contributes to their mission of protecting marine wildlife and their habitats while promoting public awareness and scientific understanding.

For more information about the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance grant program through the 'Protect Marine Wildlife' specialty license plate, or to learn about future funding opportunities, please contact the Program Manager at Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc. https://protectmarinewildlife.org