Midland Provides GMRS Handhelds to Dolphin Research Center

Midland is proud to announce it's the Official Communications Provider of the Dolphin Research Center, a nonprofit in Florida. 

Learn more about how GMRS handhelds are making a difference at the marine mammal education and research facility. 

About the Dolphin Research Center 

The Dolphin Research Center was founded as a nonprofit corporation in 1984 by Jayne Shannon-Rodriguez and Armando "Mandy" Rodriguez. Their goal was to ensure the dolphins at the center had a home for life, establishing an education and research facility. 

The bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions that live at the DRC have a wide range of personalities and backgrounds. Over half the animals were born at the Center, the other half have come from other facilities or were rescued, rehabilitated, and deemed unreleasable back into the wild by the government. 

The center also dedicates itself to assisting marine mammals in distress in the surrounding waters of the Keys by having rescued and rehabilitating both dolphins and whales. The rescue and rehabilitation procedures provide the center with invaluable opportunities for critical research and data collection. The DRC has extended its rescue operations to include the endangered manatee. It's the only facility in the Florida Keys licensed by the Federal Government to assist manatees in distress. 

Midland's Partnership With Dolphin Research Center

Midland partnered with the DRC by providing dozens of GXT67 GMRS 5-Watt Walkie Talkie - GXT67PRO for them to use around the property.

The center has about 6 acres of marine property and several acres of land. 

DRC was looking for  heavy-duty, waterproof, and reliable GMRS handhelds for its use around the center and during manatee rescues. They reached out to Midland because of the brand's reputation for high-quality products. 

Having something both waterproof and heavy duty was crucial as the team is in and around water throughout the day. 

"Insert quote"

The use of GMRS handhelds is integral in navigating manatee rescues as they require complex coordination with several groups of people across multiple locations. Manatees can weigh up to a ton and require professionals to rescue them- for the safety of both the people involved and the animal itself. 

During a rescue, snorkelers use specialized nets to corral the manatee into a synchronized, safe operation without disturbing the other animals in the area. The rescued manatee is secured on a stretcher and moved to a climate-controlled transport vehicle or a truck equipped with thermal blankets. It'll then be taken to a specialized critical care facility where it can be treated and fed until it's ready for release back into the wild.

"Insert quote" 

Midland's Commitment to Conservation

At Midland, we believe reliable communication can make a real difference when every second counts. That's why we're incredibly proud to support the Dolphin Research Center.

By providing Midland two-way radios, we're helping the Center's staff stay connected while coordinating rescues, managing daily operations, and responding quickly when wildlife needs immediate care. Clear communication allows their team to work more efficiently, helping ensure both animals and staff remain safe during routine activities and emergency situations.

"This partnership reflects Midland's ongoing commitment to supporting organizations that make a meaningful impact in their communities. Whether it's coordinating a wildlife rescue, responding to severe weather, or keeping teams connected in the field, reliable communication helps people focus on what matters most," CEO Jeremy Pensick said. 

We're honored to play a small role in supporting the Dolphin Research Center's mission to protect and care for marine wildlife. Together, we're demonstrating how dependable communication technology can support the people working every day to preserve some of Florida's most important natural resources.

We look forward to seeing the difference this partnership makes and celebrating the incredible work the Dolphin Research Center continues to do for marine conservation.

About Midland's GMRS Handhelds

Midland GMRS handheld two-way radios are built for dependable communication wherever adventures leads. Designed to be durable, powerful, and easy to use, they deliver reliable performance in demanding outdoor environments. With high-quality construction and clear communication, Midland radios help users stay connected with confidence when it matters most.

GXT67 GMRS 5-Watt Walkie Talkie - GXT67PRO

The Midland® GXT67 PRO delivers powerful GMRS communication in a durable, easy-to-use handheld two-way radio. With 5 Watts of power, repeater capability, and up to 4 days of battery life, it's built to keep you connected wherever your adventures take you. Its heavy-duty IP67 waterproof and dustproof design stands up to the elements, while the user-friendly menu makes operation simple from the moment you turn it on.

Some key features include:

• Repeater capable
• 5 Watts
• IP67 waterproof and dustproof
• 4-hour rapid charge
• Up to 4-day battery life
•  Intuitive menu interface
• Up to 99 GMRS/FRS channels
• 22 standard GMRS/FRS channels
• 8 GMRS repeater channels and split tones
• 28 preset privacy code channels
• Up to 49 user-defined channels
• 142 privacy codes and group mode
  
• Microphone Automatic Noise Canceling (ANC)
• NOAA Weather Alert Radio
  
•  Soft-shell carrying case
• Narrow and wideband operation
• VOX hands-free operation
• 10 call alerts
• Vibrate alert
• SOS siren
• Headphone jack
• 3-year warranty