Backup Document 01/11/2022 Item # 4C 4C
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is a unique, tan colored, subspecies of
Puma concolor and represents the only known breeding population of Puma concolor
in the Eastern United States; and
WHEREAS, the Florida panther has been designated by the Florida legislature as the official
state animal, and
WHEREAS, the Florida panther is listed as an endangered subspecies with only an estimated
120-230 adult Florida panthers left in the wild; and
WHEREAS, the Florida panther is known as an umbrella species and, as we protect and save
the Florida panther and its habitat, we are indirectly protecting natural
resources and watersheds vital for other wildlife and humans in Southwest
Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Gulf Coast University Wings of Hope Florida Panther Posse Program
is a local educational program established in 2000 to educate and inform our
community about the Florida panther and its habitat, and
WHEREAS, as part of that educational program, an art contest with support from the Naples
Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, Florida Wildlife Federation, and Collier County Public
Schools, with a theme of "Never Say Goodbye to the Florida Panther" is being
conducted with entries from over 2,500 Collier County elementary, middle, and
high school art students;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
Florida, that January 2022 be designated as
FLORIDA PANTHER MONTH IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 11th bay of January 2022.
�\ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COL ER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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N PENNY LOR, AIRMAN