Backup Documents 03/09/2010 Item # 4D
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
J.4n
PROCL.AMA TION
The Ramsar Convention is "The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance,
especially as Waterfowl Habitat" and is an international treaty for the conservation and
sustainable utilization of wetlands that is to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss
of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of
wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value: and,
the Convention uses a broad definition of the types of wetlands covered in its mISSIon,
including lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands and peat lands, oases,
estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves and coral reefs, and
human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans: and,
wetlands provide fundamental ecological services and are regulators of water regimes and
sources of biodiversity at all levels - species, genetic, and ecosystem, and constitute a great
economic, scientific, cultural, and recreational value for the community, progressive
encroachment on, and loss of, wetlands cause serious and sometimes irreparable damage to
the provision of ecosystem services: and,
visitors to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary find a pristine wilderness, a 2.25 mile boardwalk
meanders through pine flatwoods, open prairies, and finally into the largest forest of ancient
bald cypress in North America, the forest is also home to hundreds of alligators, otters,
Florida black bears, white-tailed deer and red-bellied turtles, Corkscrew is world renowned
for supporting the largest colony of nesting wood storks in the United States: and,
Panther Island Mitigation Bank is one of the premier wetland restoration projects in
Southwest Florida. The fully restored Panther Island lands will be preserved in perpetuity
through a conservation easement and 0 long-term steward-ship trust fund which is managed
by Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and owned by The National Audubon Society, Panther Island
provides significant regional wetland restoration enhancement, benefiting both freshwater
wetland systems and wildlife habitat: and,
Audubon of Florida's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Panther Island Mitigation Bank
have been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar
Convention, this designation as a Wetland of International Importance not only highlights the
ecological significance of the sites, but also recognizes the contributions of many individuals
who have worked hard for nearly half a century to conserve Corkscrew Swamp. "
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, that the
RAMSAR INTERNA TIONAL. RECOGNITION
is a designation showing the importance of the ecology in this part of
South West Florida
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 9th Day of March, 2010.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COL.LIER COUNTY, FL.ORID.
\
"EST: