Animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations around the Keys are seeing their helping hands repaid, thanks to grants supplied by Florida’s Protect Marine Wildlife license plate. Created by the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, the specialty plate in Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina uses money raised from vehicle registrations to directly support activities that contribute to the conservation and protection of marine mammals and other marine wildlife species. Since August 2023, the alliance has awarded more than $275,000 in grants. On Oct. 24, representatives from the alliance made a visit to the Marathon Wild Bird Center to present the latest in a string of donations: a $10,000 check to support the activities of founder Kelly Grinter’s team. Grant monies will fund an additional staff member to care for non-releasable ambassador animals, along with support for the center’s general operating fund, Grinter told the Weekly. Pictured, from left: alliance executive officer Dr. Brian Joseph, Wild Bird Center board member Wendy Gates, Grinter, alliance founder Steve McCulloch, and Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder’s Nicole Sears and Brieanna Wagler. ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly
