Backup Documents 10/28/2014 Item # 4B 48 -
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Florida Panther is the official state animal of Florida and was one of the first animals
added to the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1973; and
WHEREAS, The 4"h Annual Florida Panther Festival will put a spotlight on the plight of the endangered
Florida panther through interactive activities about the Florida panther's life and habitat; and
WHEREAS, The Florida Panther Festival will increase awareness of the Florida panther while promoting the
safe coexistence of people, pets, livestock and panthers by fostering community-wide
appreciation for the panther and the unique ecosystem that serves as its habitat; and
WHEREAS, The Florida Panther Festival will educate residents and visitors about the management needs of
the panther and heighten awareness for the maintenance and protection of panther habitat
not only to the core panther population area, but to practical expansion areas in Florida; and
WHEREAS, The Florida Panther Festival will be a free, entertaining, educational, fun-filled event combined
with field-based learning opportunities; and
WHEREAS, The Florida Panther Festival will be a self-sustaining event that not only develops public and
private partnerships, but empowers the private community partners to become festival leaders;
and
WHEREAS, The Florida Panther Festival is a collaborative effort by a variety of organizations including the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Collier County Parks and Recreation, Naples-Marco Island-
Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau; Audubon Florida; Defenders of Wildlife; National
Park Service; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Friends of the Florida Panther
Refuge; CREW Land and Water Trust; Florida Gulf Coast University's Wings of Hope; and Nature
on Wheels.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, in
recognition of the 4'h Annual Florida Panther Festival being held on November 15 and 16,
2014, that November 15, 2014 be designated as:
FLORIDA PANTHER FESTIVAL DAY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 28th DAY OF OCTOBER
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER eUNTY, tORIDA
TOM HENNING, CHAIRMAN V .
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