Agenda 03/11/2008 Item # 4E
Agenda Ilem No, 4E
March 11, 2008
Page 1 of2
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PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Florida Panther is the Official State Animal af the great State of Florida: and,
WHEREAS, the Florida Panther is a magnificent subspecies and a symbol of the natural character
of the Everglades Ecosystem of South Florida; and.
WHEREAS. the Florida panther's decllM occurred prior to 1950, when it still was legal to hunt
panthers. It was listed endangered in 1967 and i$ protected under state and federal
laws, and as of 2006. biologists estimat'c roughly 80 - 100 Floro/del panthers remain in
the wild: and,
WHEREAS, it is the will of the people of Callier County and therefore a mission of their
govemment to rescue the Florida Panther from the threat of extinction: and,
.
WHEREAS, because Callier County Is the stronghold for the long- term survival of the Florida
Panther, the Natural Resource managers. non-profit groups, citizens, am:J businesses
;n the County want to gather to celebrate this species for the South Florida
Ecosystem: and,
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature has established the third Saturday In March as "Save the
Florida Panther Oay"; and,
WHEREAS. educa#ng the residents of Collier County will help us co-exist safely in panther
habitat and by beingti/ert from dusk 'ffl dawn and whenever' deer or other ptmther
prey (raccoons, rabbits, efe.) ore active, keeping domestic livestock secure,
landscaping for safety, and considering othe'r deterrents such as outdoor lighting and
hiking 0,. biking with Q f,.iend, we con accomplish that goal: and, '
~
WHEREAS, there has never been 0 known attack of a human by the Florida Panther, the cat
moves primarily at night so keep your children within sight and close to you, give the
panther a way to escape if you cross paths, do not run as it may stimulate the
panther's instinct to chase, avoid crouching Dr bending over 0$ it makes you look
smaller, try to appear larger by waving your arms, opening your Jacket and throwing
stones or branches without turning your back and fight back if you are: afftJcked:
and,
WHEREAS, it Is proper and flHing for all Florid/aM to pouse and reflect on the plight of the
Florida Panther and the task of preserving the sleek, lean, carniveraus and beautiful
Florida panther species to enrich the legacy of generations yet to come.
NOW tHEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of Caunty Cammissioners of Callier County,
Florida, that March B, 200B through March 15, 200S be designated as
PANTHER AWARENESS WEEK
t>ONE AND ORDERED THIS 11TH Day of March, 2008.
SOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COlLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
TOM HENNING, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
~
OWIGHT E. BROCK, Cl.ERK
Page 1 of 1
Agenda Item No. 4E
March 11, 2008
Page 2 of 2
COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
Item Summary:
4E
Meeting Date:
Proclamation designating March 8, 2008 through March 15, 2008 as Panther Awareness
Week. To be accepted by Lisa Ostberg from the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge.
3/11/20089:00:00 AM
Prepared By
Paula Springs Executive Aide to the BCe Date
Board of County
Commissioners BCC Office 2/29/20084:02:27 PM
Approved By
Sue Filson Executive Manager to the BCe Date
Board of County
Commissioners BCe Office 3/3/20082:05 PM
Approved By
James V. Mudd County Manager Date
Board of County
Commissioners County Manager's Office 3/3/2008 3:25 PM
file://C:\AgendaTest\Export\ 1 02-March%20 11 ,%202008\04.%20PROCLAMA TI0NS\4E\4E... 3/5/2008