Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge announces Save the Florida Panther Day

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge announces Save the Florida Panther Day

Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge is excited to announce its annual Save The Florida Panther Day celebration. Families, environmental groups, and wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the annual event at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 9 AM to 1 PM.

This special one-day event grants the public exclusive access to areas of the refuge that are normally closed to visitors. Guests will have a rare opportunity to explore the hidden world of the critically endangered Florida panther and experience restricted trails, remote wildlife habitats, and conservation zones that are essential to panther survival.

With only 120 to 230 Florida panthers left in the wild, this species is fighting for its future existence. The refuge, spanning 26,400 acres in Collier County, plays a vital role in protecting and restoring panther habitat, monitoring populations, and leading conservation efforts. As urban development continues to encroach on the Florida panther habitat, threatening the species’ survival, events like Save the Florida Panther Day help raise awareness, inspire action and generate crucial support for conservation efforts.

This event is not only a celebration of Florida’s incredible wildlife but also an opportunity to educate the community and raise funds to support ongoing conservation efforts. Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge is dedicated to preserving the panther’s habitat through fundraising, education, trail maintenance, and volunteer programs.

The event will include:

• Exclusive swamp walks and buggy tours through panther territory
• Access to refuge areas not usually open to the public
• Wildlife exhibits and educational talks
• Guided habitat hikes
• Family-friendly activities for all ages.

This is a rare chance to step into the panther’s world, learn about the challenges facing Florida’s state animal, and support efforts to ensure its survival. The event will be held at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge located at 12085 FL State Road 29 South, Immokalee.

Registration opens March 1 for the event and is free to everyone, however, space for many activities is limited. To secure tickets, register on the Friends of the Florida Panther website, www.floridapanther.org/events
For more information, visit FloridaPanther.org or followwww.facebook.com/FloridaPantherNWR for news and updates.

MORE ABOUT Friends of the FLORIDA PANTHER:
Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge supports and promotes the goals of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and promotes a better understanding and appreciation of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

We work to safeguard the Refuge through education, outreach, advocacy, and being an active partner in Refuge projects. We are also focused on protecting the native flora and fauna found in the Florida Panther NWR and its partner refuge, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Our projects center on restoring the Florida panther and its habitat within its historic range.

The Friends of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is anon-profit 501(c)(3) organization.