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Support the Florida Panther by purchasing a Liscense Plate. Click on the plate below to order one today.

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Volunteers Making a Difference

Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge president Lisa Ostberg and executive director Tom Murray joined more than 150 "Friends Group" volunteers supporting national wildlife refuges in almost 40 states in meeting with their legislators on Capital Hill on April 7 to promote an annual budget of $5.14 per acre for the refuge system in fiscal year 2009. These refuge advocates sought to expand Congressional support and draw attention to the Refuge System's crippling $3.6 billion funding backlog.

Volunteer

Want to help? Have a special skill or talent? Become a Friends Volunteer!

Help the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge by becoming a volunteer. The Friends' mission is to be an active advocate of the Refuge and to support its program, promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Florida panther and improve the status of the current panther population. We are currently looking for volunteers to work on the following committees or projects. Many Refuge opportunities do not require you to be located in Florida.

The Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge is the official support organization created to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the National Wildlife Refuge System and, in particular the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.

Our mission is to be an active advocate of the refuge and support its program, to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the endangered Florida panther and how the existence of this animal can enrich our lives, and to strive to support
and improve the status of the 80 to 100 Florida panthers in the wild.

In order to fulfill this mission, we are seeking volunteers to assist with the following opportunities:

1. Special Events - plan, manage and recommend events that provide the public with awareness and education and also serve to raise funds for the Friends activities.  Current examples of possible special events include the annual meeting, Florida Panther Week activities, the Cause for the Paws, Volunteer Day and events held in conjunction with partnering organizations.

2. Adult Education - develop brochures, power point presentations, and scripts for the purpose of addressing business and civic organizations and other interested adult groups.

3. Speakers Bureau - Make educational presentations to the general public.

4. Membership - establishes strategies to recruit new members, retain the current members and manage the membership data base.

5. Trail and Tour Volunteers - includes buggy drivers, tour leaders, trail maintenance and auto mechanics to maintain the buggies.

6. Part Time Office Staff - work in the Friends office 6/8 per week performing general administrative functions including telephone calling to maintain the Friends contact list.

7. Capital Campaign - develop a program to raise funds for the construction of an environmental education center of the Florida Panther Refuge.

8. Marketing - develop a cohesive marketing strategy that will incorporate membership materials, stationary, website, logo, and sales merchandise.  Programs to be considered include the commissioning of an educational coloring book, and fund raising programs such as Adopting a Panther and Pennies for Panthers.

9. Advocacy - network with other conservation groups on subjects of mutual interest, advocate for public and private land for panther utilization and lobby elected officials and pertinent government agencies.

10. Outreach - man the Friend’s booth at events and place and monitor the education display in high traffic areas such as banks, libraries, and restaurants.

11. Panther Posse - work with Ricky Pires and the Wings of Hope to support expand the Panther Posse.

12. Public relations - secures through newspapers, radio, TV and other media the maximum publicity covering the activities and objectives of the organization.

13. Newsletter Reporters - write news articles for the quarterly Friends newsletter in conjunction with the newsletter editor.

14. Youth education - develop educational programs for middle school and senior high school students.

15. Special events and exhibition staffing.

16. Design coloring books and educational materials.

17. Data base maintenance and design.

18. Newsletter Editor.

Leadership Opportunities

With training, Friends can take the public on guided Refuge tours, learn to lead workshops, and present programs to schools (like the Panther Posse), clubs and organizations.

If you wish to assist the Friends of the Florida Panther in our work to enhance the recovery and viability of this endangered species, or just seek additional information, contact the Friends president, Tom Murray, at tom.murray@floridapanther.org or 239-289-2847.

Students for the Florida Panther: Panther Posse