Agenda 09/09/2025 Item # 4B (Proclamation designating September 20 – 27, 2025, as National Estuaries Week)PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, National Estuaries Week is to take place September 20 – 27, 2025, to raise awareness
about the importance of estuaries and encourage public engagement in their protection and
restoration; and
WHEREAS, Collier County is home to Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, protecting
110,000 acres and 40% of Collier County coastline, for the public to explore and enjoy
alongside crucial research that is conducted; and
WHEREAS, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is 1 of just 30 National Estuarine
Research Reserves in the United States; and
WHEREAS, given its proximity to Everglades National Park, alongside other protected areas of critical
importance, coupled with the economic and ecological value that Rookery Bay brings to
Southwest Florida; and
WHEREAS, Friends of Rookery Bay, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is tasked with the support and
advocacy of Rookery Bay, driving education, outreach, stewardship, volunteer recruitment,
and fundraising to help protect Collier’s coastal lands and waters;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that September 20 – 27, 2025, be designated as
NATIONAL ESTUARIES WEEK
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 9th Day of September 2025.
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County, Florida
Burt L. Saunders, Chairman
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COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR PROCLAMATION
Please complete the form below and email to Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov along with a draft of the
proclamation (Insert language on the Draft Proclamation From linked on the same webpage as this Request
Form). Forms must be submitted a minimum of 13 days prior to the requested meeting date.
Please note: A Commissioner sponsor is required!
COMMISSIONER(S) AGREEING TO SPONSOR: ______Rick LoCastro__________
Once the Board agenda is approved by the Chair, staff will contact you to confirm receipt and presentation at an
upcoming Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you have any questions, please email
Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov or by calling (239) 252-8075.
NAME: TJ Snopkowski
ADDRESS: 300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113
PHONE: 239-530-5990
EMAIL: t.snopkowski@rookerybay.org
DATE OF THE COMMISSION MEETING BEING REQUESTED FOR PRESENTATION: September 9th, 2025
TOPIC/REASON FOR THE PROCLAMATION REQUEST: National Estuaries Week
DOES THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZE A SPECIFIC CALENDAR DATE? September 20-27, 2025_
HAS THE PROCLAMATION BEEN PRESENTED BY THE BOARD IN PREVIOUS YEARS? No
NAME OF THE LEAD RECIPIENT AND TITLE (IF APPLICABLE) WHO WILL BE PRESENT AND INTRODUCED AT THE
MEETING TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION: (Other attendees may also participate in the receipt of the
Proclamation but will be announced by the County Manager as “distinguished guests.” Commissioners may opt to
identify others, by name, in any comments they make during or after the presentation of the Proclamation.)
LEAD RECIPIENT NAME: TJ Snopkowski, Executive Director, Friends of Rookery
Bay______________________________________________________
Note: A photograph will be taken with the County Commissioners at the meeting when the proclamation is
presented. Other persons present with the recipients may also come forward at the time of the photograph.
Would you like a copy of this photograph sent (circle one): Via email / Via U.S. Mail
Per your delivery selection, please provide a name and email address or physical mailing address if different than
already provided on the form above:
TJ Snopkowski, t.snopkowski@rookerybay.org
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY:
DATE FORM RECEIVED: RECEIVED BY:
ACCEPTED: DENIED: REASON FOR DENIAL:
APPLICANT NOTIFIED ON (DATE): VIA TELEPHONE / EMAIL / US MAIL
BY: (SIGNATURE) REVISED 2/2023
Page 16 of 2661
From: Aixa Capizzi <Aixa.Capizzi@colliercountyfl.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 11:19 AM
To: Aimee Trochessett <Aimee.Trochessett@colliercountyfl.gov>
Subject: RE: Commissioner Sponsor
Yes, thank you.
Aixa Capizzi, MAA, MFCEP
Commissioner Executive Assistant
Board of County Commissioners
3299 Tamiami Trl E, Suite 303
Naples FL 34112
Office: (239) 252-8601
Web: https://www.colliercountyfl.gov
/
From: Aimee Trochessett <Aimee.Trochessett@colliercountyfl.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 10:58 AM
To: Aixa Capizzi <Aixa.Capizzi@colliercountyfl.gov>
Subject: Commissioner Sponsor
Aixa,
The County Manager’s Office has approved the attached proclamation designating
September 20 – 27, 2025, as National Estuaries Week to be issued at the September 9th
BCC Meeting (see below email). Will Commissioner LoCastro sponsor the
proclamation? Thank you.
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