Agenda 03/28/2017 Item # 4A03/28/2017
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 4.A
Doc ID: 2831
Item Summary: Proclamation designating April 10, 2017 as Gopher Tortoise Day in Collier
County, in recognition of the importance of protecting gopher tortoises and gopher tortoise habitat. To be
accepted by representatives of the Friends of Barefoot Beach: Denny Dolmage, Rebecca Edelbrock,
Margaret Winn and Ken Edelbrock and representatives of the Collier County Parks and Recreation
Division: Maura Kraus and Nancy Olson.
Meeting Date: 03/28/2017
Prepared by:
Title: – Board of County Commissioners
Name: Sherry Greco
03/01/2017 3:44 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Manager-Communications & Cust. Relations – Communication and Customer Relations
Name: Mike Sheffield
03/01/2017 3:44 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Communication and Customer Relations Mike Sheffield Additional Reviewer Completed 03/15/2017 11:28 AM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida County Manager Review Completed 03/20/2017 8:22 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 03/28/2017 9:00 AM
03/28/2017
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, the economic and ecological well-being of Collier County is
significantly dependent on the County’s natural resources; and,
WHEREAS, the Friends of Barefoot Beach and the Collier County Parks and
Recreation Division have proposed to the Board of County
Commissioners that there be a day set aside for recognition of the
Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus); and,
WHEREAS, Gopher Tortoise Day will be observed annually in Collier County April
10; and,
WHEREAS, Barefoot Beach Preserve Park, a 342-acre barrier island, provides
the ideal habitat for the Gopher Tortoise and is considered a
Gopher Tortoise sanctuary; and,
WHEREAS, the Gopher Tortoise today is in the State of Florida, listed as
threatened, and in parts of the United States, federally listed as
threatened; and,
WHEREAS, the Gopher Tortoise is considered a keystone species; and,
WHEREAS, the Gopher Tortoise burrow protects more than 350 other
commensal species, some of which are also listed as threatened;
and,
WHEREAS, the Gopher Tortoise habitat needs protection; and,
WHEREAS, having Gopher Tortoises and other species in our area helps to
sustain the areas ecology and provides man with a source of joy and
an appreciation for nature.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County, Florida, that April 10, 2017 be designated as
Gopher Tortoise Day
and all citizens are urged to protect this species through education
and awareness.
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 28th Day of March, 2017
03/28/2017
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
________________________________________
Penny Taylor, Chairman