SUBMISSION: Florida Panther Umbrella Species by Kimberly Heise

October 17, 2015 Jon Norris

Designed by artist Kim Heise, hand colored and signed inside the image and around the frame by hundreds of children at Panther Day Naples Zoo with the South Florida Wildlands Association on March 7, 2015. The South Florida Wildlands Association partnered with artist Kim Heise on this collaborative project to educate children about the Florida Panther and the importance of conservation. This artwork was created by hundreds of children taking turns coloring in a part of the Florida Panther Umbrella Species design. Each scribble and signature is a petition from the children of Florida to protect this beloved species. This project took place at Panther Day Naples Zoo, March 7, 2015 .

The Florida Panther is our state animal, but it is also an endangered species. It’s territory is home to other rare Florida species including the Roseate Spoonbill, Burrowing Owl, Snail Kite, Eastern Indigo Snake, Florida Black Bear and Gopher Tortoise, making the Florida Panther an extremely important umbrella species. The Panther is seriously threatened by habitat loss. Protecting Panther habitat from destruction means protecting Florida’s other unique fauna living under the “umbrella” of this iconic animal

Please see Dropbox folder for additional photos of the children and detail shots https://www.dropbox.com/…/twmaz6…/AABBWkDElwRI71V3Z5ruFtNGa…