Behind the legal and financial turmoil are seventeen living beings: dolphins who depend on this place for survival.

Marineland was founded as a bridge between us and the ocean. But unfortunately that legacy has eroded over time. Reports and drone footage in the past had shown dolphins confined in small, algae-filled tanks with little shade and limited stimulation. A federal judge even questioned their welfare during recent bankruptcy proceedings.

The welfare of the dolphins, not nostalgia or property value, must define Marineland’s future. Captive dolphins form deep social bonds, communicate in unique dialects, and experience stress and depression when their environment deteriorates. Selling, relocating, or using them for photo opportunities would only harm their well-being.

Marineland once provided connection to wondrous animals and the environment of our oceans. Hopefully it can do so again, but preservation without welfare is exploitation.

To truly save Marineland, we must save the dolphins first;

• Independent welfare audits to assess living conditions and publish transparent results
• Immediate water-quality and enrichment improvements to meet marine-mammal care standards
• External scientific oversight from marine biologists and welfare organizations
• Transition to a coastal sanctuary model, where possible, allowing more space, natural water, and retirement from public performance
• Public accountability for any ownership transfer that ensures animal welfare takes precedence over development profits

How You Can Help

Support groups such as TideBreakers and the Save Marineland’s History and Animals GoFundMe campaign are pressing for legal and ethical reform. You can help by donating, sharing verified information, and demanding oversight from Florida’s wildlife agencies and The Dolphin Company’s trustees.

Once a century-old abandoned limestone quarry, it is now a thriving and biodiverse sanctuary. Through guided restoration, it shows how natural systems can be revived and sustained.

Vast systems of underground limestone and dolostone in the Florida Aquifer, one of the most productive in the world, span multiple states and supply freshwater to millions of people, including the garden. Water rises naturally through the limestone and feeds a network of ponds and waterfalls. These water levels respond to rainfall from miles away, creating a dynamic, self-sustaining cycle.

The landscape is defined by towering southern live oaks, some estimated to be 300 to 700 years old. These trees can draw up to 50 gallons of water per day and play a crucial role in maintaining soil stability and groundwater regulation. Cleverly hidden pumps also help recirculate water through irrigation lines and fountains, reinforcing the natural flow while maintaining beauty.

This consistent supply of clean, oxygen-rich water has allowed local biodiversity to flourish. The gardens are home to more than 40 bird species, along with turtles, fish, frogs, snakes, lizards, deer, bobcats, foxes, and a variety of pollinators. The fact that amphibians, which are highly sensitive to environmental toxins, are thriving here is a strong indicator of water quality and ecosystem health. Hundreds of bats occupy four dedicated bat houses, offering natural pest control while supporting Florida’s declining bat populations.

Cedar Lakes has extended its conservation efforts beyond the core garden area. The surrounding 64 acres of woodland were donated to Conservation Florida to support habitat preservation and wildlife corridor connectivity. Plans are underway for a Conservation Education Center that will teach visitors about Florida’s aquifers, native species, and the science of ecological restoration.

Community members and visitors contribute directly to conservation efforts through citizen science. By using apps like eBird or Merlin Bird ID, they can report wildlife sightings and environmental changes. These observations help track species presence and offer insight into seasonal water fluctuations and habitat trends.

More than a beautiful place to explore, Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is a living classroom that demonstrates how ecological knowledge, careful stewardship, and public involvement can restore damaged land into a healthy, sustainable ecosystem.

Please consider checking out their official site or donating to support them.