PROCLAMATION eat State of Florida Collier County ‘City of Marco Island WHEREAS, Audubon Westem Everglades’ Owl! Watch Program, a community science-based monitoring project, began in 2016 to help protect Florida Burrowing Owls; and WHEREAS, The Florida Burrowing Owl.was upgraded from a Species of Special Concem to a listed State Threatened species on November 16, 2016 on Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species List; and WHEREAS, Growing from just a few volunteers, Owl Watch is now made up of over 60 citizens of Marco Island dedicated to helping burrowing owls thrive in our city. Volunteers monitor several hundred burrows throughout the City during nesting season, February to July 10%, collecting valuable information on this State Threatened Species; and WHEREAS, From 2016 to present day, the burrowing owl population in Marco Island has grown from 118 pairs of owls to a record 242 pairs. The nesting season of 2019 was the most productive on record, with 563 chicks raised in Marco Island; and WHEREAS, Owl Watch staff and volunteers educate the citizens of Marco Island with regular lectures and events featuring burrowing owls. NOW TEEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the City Council of Marco Island, Florida, that February 18% be designated as Owl Watch Appreciation Day in honor of the dedication of the volunteers of Owl Watch to protect and preserve the burrowing owls of Marco Island. DONE AND ORDERED this 18% day of February 2020. Erik Brechnitz, Chairman ATTEST