Agenda 03/09/2010 Item # 4D
WHEREAS.
WHEREAS.
WHEREAS.
WHEREAS.
WHEREAS.
WHEREAS.
Agenda Item No. 4D
March 9. 2010
Page 1 of 2
PROCLAMA TION
The Ramsor Convtmti"" is "The Conllentjun un Wetlanas of InternatiMQ/ Importance.
apecially os Waterfowl Habltot" ond Is Oil international treaty for the conservation and
sustainab/~ utilization'" wetlands that is to stl!m the progressive encroachment on ana loss
of wetlands now and in the future, recqgnizlng the fundamental ecological funt:tions of
wetlands and their econamlc. cultural, scientific, and recreational va/~; and.
the Convention uses a broad aefl"lfi(m Df the types of wetlands covered in its mlss/M,
ine/uti/ng lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands and fMDt lands, O(lses,
estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, neDf'-shore marine areas, mongrollf!s and corol reefs, and
human-made situ such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans: and,
wetlDnds prDvide fundamental ec(}/ogical services and are regulators of watlU" regimes and
sources of biodiversity at aI/levels - species, genetic, and ecosystem, and constitute a great
economic, scientific, cultural. and recreational value for the community, progressive
encrotlchment on, and loss of. we'flands cause serious and sometimes irreparable damage to
the provision of ecosystem services; and,
visitors to CfJrkscrew Swamp Sanctuary find a pristilU! wilderness, a 2.2!J mile boardwalk
meanders through pine flatwoods, open prairies, and finally into the largest forest of ancient
bald cypress in North America, the forest is alsD home to hundreds of alligators, Dtters,
Florida black bl!ars, white-toNed deer and red-bellied turtks, CtJrkscrew Is world renowned
fDr supporting the IDrgest colony of nesting wood storks in the United States; t1mi,
Panther Islt1nd MitigatitJ/1 8t1nk Is DM of the premier wetland restoration projects in
Southwest Floridt1. The fully restored Panther Island Jands will be preserved in perpetuity
through 0 conservation easement and a J,mg-term steward-ship trust fund which is managed
by Corkscrew Swamp Sanctultry and owned by rhe National Audubon Society, Panther Island
provides significant regionol wetland restoration enhancemellt, benefiting both freshwater
wetland systems and wHdlife habitat: and,
Audubon of Florida's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Panther Islalld Mitigation Bank
have been designated Q Ramsar Wetland of International ImfH'rl'ance by the Ramsar
Convention, this designation (lS D Wetland of Intl!rnational Impcrfance net only highlights the
ecolDgical signifk:ance of the situ, but also recognizes the contributions of many im:lividuals
who have worked ht1rd for nearly half D century to cDflServe Corkscrew Swamp, ..
NOW THE:REFORE, be it proclaimed by the Boord of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florido, thot the
RAMSAR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
is 0 designation showing the importance of the ecology in this part of
South West Florida
DONE: AND ORDERED THIS 9th Day af March. 2010.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUIER COUNTY. FLORIDA
FRED COYLE, CHAIRMAN
DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLt:RK
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Agenda Item No. 40
March 9, 2010
Page 2 of 2
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
Item Summary:
40
Proclamation recognizing the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Panther Island Mitigation
Bank for being designated as a "RAMSAR Wetland of Internalionallmportance". To be
accepted by a representative from the Audubon Society. Sponsored by Commissioner
Coletta.
3/9/20109:00:00 AM
Meeting Date:
Prepa red By
Paula Springs
Executive Aide to the BCC
Date
BCC
BCC
3/1/201012:22:27 PM
Approved By
Ian Mitchell
Supervisor ~ BCe Office Operations
Date
BCC
BCC
3/1/20102:12 PM
Approved By
Michael Sheffield
Assistant to the County Manager
Date
County Managers Office
3/1/20103:16 PM
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