Backup Documents 07/09/2013 Item # 4B 4B
PROCLAMATION •
WHEREAS, Florida's citrus industry is a part of the $100 billion agricultural industry in the state; and,
WHEREAS, Florida's citrus crops are routinely affected by insects and disease, resulting in a negative
economic impact; and,
WHEREAS, the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest
Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida has a strong focus on the
issues affecting this industry; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Philip Stansly, Professor of Entomology at the research center, refocused his research
efforts to focus on the citrus greening disease or"huanglongbing (HLB) when it was first
detected in 2005 and is vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid(ACP); and,
WHEREAS, HLB was predicted to become the demise of the Florida citrus industry with many growers
distressed over the pessimistic prognosis, However, Dr. Stansly and his team developed
vector management strategies that have resulted in cautious optimism for the growers; and,
WHEREAS, a key component of integrated pest management(IPM) is timely information on pest
populations; Dr. Stansly's program developed and promotes the stem tap method of sampling
adult ACP to monitor and provide criteria for pest control decisions; and,
WHEREAS, this technique has been widely adopted by growers throughout the state and the data is
used to create interactive maps for the UF/IFAS website to show ACP intensity in the five
county Sulf Coast region of Southwest Florida; and,
WHEREAS, the IPM strategies and tactics developed by Dr. Stansly's program have been supported and
embraced by numerous publications as well as throughout the industry in Florida, Texas,
Brazil and California' with the Gulf region being the first to launch its area-wide program
now emulated across the state; and,
WHEREAS, his research is evolving to establish economic thresholds for ACP control in a continuing
effort to maintain the viability of the'state's signature crop and ensure its success.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that
Dr. Philip Stansly is recognized for his research and efforts to resolve the citrus greening
problem and protect the citrus industry in Collier County and Florida.
DONE AND ORDERED THIS oh Day of July, 2013.
taert BOARD OF O NTY OMMISSIONERS
T :S ,X COLLIE C L! TY, ORIDA
VAtt,
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;� +t / GEORGIA HILLER, CHAIRWOMAN