Agenda 11/18/2014 Item # 4E11 /18/2014 4. E.
PROCLAMA rION
- IEREAS, Sixty years ago, committed conservationists rallied to buy the last stand of old growth
cypress at Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary - one of the most important wading
bird rookeries in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, In mid- February of 1953, National Audubon Society (Audubon) president, John H. Baker,
laid out the value and purpose of Corkscrew Swamp in an article published in the Miami
Herald. Baker urged then Florida Governor Dan McCarty to enlist the state to acquire
"the great Corkscrew rookery, explaining that it was an example of outstanding scientific
and esthetic value. He further suggested that some manner of public use be employed
that would allow the protection of the scenery, wildlife, vegetation and other historical
values; and,
WHEREAS, Nearly two years later Audubon took ownership of this great Corkscrew rookery. The
initial Sanctuary was 2880 acres. It eventually grew, adding approximately 10, 000
additional acres, the latest acquisition was the Panther Island Mitigation Bank and,
WHEREAS, Since that time, millions of visitors walked under the Sanctuary's mighty cypress canopy,
marveled at the diverse wildlife, and gasped that the sheer beauty of the ghost orchid or
a chance sighting of a Florida panther. Today, Corkscrew's Blair Audubon Center is host
to 100, 000 visitors a year; and,
' "NEREAS, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary occupies approximately 13 000 acres in the heart of the
Corkscrew Watershed in Southwest Florida, part of the Western Everglades. It is
primarily composed of wetlands that includes the largest remaining virgin old growth bald
cypress forest in the world (approximately 700 acres), which is the site of the largest
historic nesting colony of Federally Threatened Wood Storks in the notion; and,
WHEREAS, On this 60th anniversary, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has announced a five -year
conservation vision to restore three square miles of strategic wetland habitat. The goal is
to bring back Wood Storks and other wildlife. The restored wetlands will improve water
quality, recharge aquifers, regulate flooding, reestablish wildlife corridors, grow fish, and
sustain woding bird communities.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
recognizes the
60 *h Anniversary of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 18th Day of November 2014.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
TOM HFAvivrivr_ r'NAIRMAN
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11/18/2014 4.E.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 4.4.E.
Item Summary: Proclamation recognizing the 60th Anniversary of Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary. To be accepted by Brad Cornell, Southwest Florida Policy Associate for Audubon of
the Western Everglades, and Jason Lauritsen, Director, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Sponsored by Commissioner Nance.
Meeting Date: 11/18/2014
Prepared By
Name: Catherine Bigelow
Title: Supervisor - Operations, Communication & Customer Relations
11/12/2014 10:17:56 AM
Submitted by
Title: Manager - Communications & Cust. Relations,
Name: SheffieldMichael
11/12/2014 10:17:57 AM
Approved By
Name: SheffieldMichael
Title: Manager- Communications & Cust. Relations,
Date: 11 /12/2014 1:34:14 PM
Name: IsacksonMark
Title: Director -Corp Financial and Mngmt Svs, Office of Management & Budget
Date: I 1/ 12/2014 1:47:46 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 1 l /12/2014 2:11:41 PM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 11/12/2014 2:24:40 PM
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