The Fund worked with numerous public and private partners for more than two years to complete a conservation project that protects a 58-acre property in Crystal River. The property, known as Three Sisters Springs, contains five pristine, naturally-occurring springs. An ecological marvel, Three Sisters is one of the state's last remaining urban springs. During the winter months as well as critical cold fronts, the springs are home to more than 150 endangered manatees, a beloved species known for being a "gentle giant." The property will be preserved from development and managed as a wildlife refuge.

Both conservationists and developers had been eying the Three Sisters property for decades. Development was a possibility as the property is situated in an urban area and had been zoned for 400 homes. However, this is a place that locals, visitors, and the landowner wanted to preserve.

“Three Sisters Springs was the National Wildlife Refuge System’s top land conservation priority in the Southeast and its critical importance to manatees was highlighted during last winter’s cold spell,” said Cindy Dohner, Southeast Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read responses from our other partners >>

Visitors from all over the world travel to the area to see the manatees, providing a boon to the local economy and an opportunity to educate ecotourists about the ecosystem needs of the imperiled manatee population.

Back in 2005 the Fund started working with the landowner as well as several local and federal partners, to find a conservation outcome. The Fund worked on structuring and securing funding for a deal that would conserve the property.

“We finally did it,” said Matt Sexton, the Fund's vice president working out of our Florida offices.  “This complex transaction required careful orchestration, but the overwhelming support kept it going. We’re thankful to all of our partners, especially those donors who provided support to the Fund, the landowners, for their patience and commitment to seeing this property preserved, and the community, who saw this as the last chance to protect the city’s namesake.”

Photo Gallery

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  Haven for Manatees
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  Ecotourism at Three Sisters
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  Manatees
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  Diving and Snorkeling

Watch this video of manatees at Three Sisters Springs. Skip to 1:20 and see if you can make out the group of manatees resting in the shallow waters.

Funding Sources:

Three Sisters is a great example of how conservation efforts can require complex funding but are still very much achievable. Funding for the $10.5 million project came from a variety of sources:

• $3.3 million in federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the North America Wetlands Conservation Act, secured with the help of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz;
• nearly $5 million in state funding from the Florida Forever / Florida Communities Trust program and SWFWMD;
• $300,000 from the City of Crystal River, Citrus County and the Citrus County Tourist Development Council;
• Nearly $2 million came through the fundraising efforts of The Conservation Fund, the National Wildlife Refuge Association, the Friends of Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Save the Manatee Club and many individuals in the local community.