Looking to the future, Blue Spring’s role as a manatee refuge faces evolving challenges. Climate change introduces multiple uncertainties: rising sea levels, altered groundwater flows, increased storm intensity, warmer winters (which paradoxically could reduce refuge demand but disrupt flow patterns), and changing manatee distributions. Ground

Blue Spring has become an important educational site for the public to learn about manatees and conservation. During the winter season, live webcams of the spring run broadcast manatee activity to remote audiences, helping engage people who may never visit in person  Interpretive signage, ranger-led talks, Junior Ranger programmes and environme

The manatee at Blue Spring is not just a local phenomenon — it plays into the broader conservation strategy for the Florida manatee across the state. Because warm springs are relatively rare, the existence of major winter refuges like Blue Spring, along with other sites such as the Three Sisters Springs (in Crystal River) or power-plant discharge

While manatees are the core attraction in winter, Blue Spring is also a public recreation site open year-round. This intersection of wildlife refuge and tourist destination creates both opportunity and tension. Visitors can access boardwalks, observation platforms, cabins and campsites.  During the winter manatee season, access to the spring ru