Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge

03/04/2026

🐾Two reasons to get excited this month!

🌿Save the Florida Panther Day is just around the corner!

🫶Join us March 21st, 9 AM–1 PM at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge for a FREE day of wildlife exhibits, guided walks, swamp buggy tours, fishing, archery, food, and more!

Plus, the Florida Panther Prowl newsletter is out now 🎉— this edition includes refuge updates, wildlife spotlights on the Florida Manatee and Ghost Orchid, and a fun activity for the kids. Check it out!https://www.floridapanther.org/_files/ugd/12e35d_d883c71de268450691501489f61b3ab9.pdf

12/29/2025

Happy New Year from Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge 🎉 — and thank you for being part of this community!

What a year it's been.

In March, we welcomed more than 100 visitors to Save the Florida Panther Day — our biggest turnout yet. Families explored trails normally closed to the public. Children learned what it means to protect an endangered species. The community showed up for Florida's state animal in a way we hadn't seen before. 🐾

Then came the unexpected. When the government shutdown paused refuge operations this fall, supporters like you ensured that conservation did not stop. Your generosity during our Day of Giving campaign kept critical work moving forward, and we are deeply grateful. 💛

The refuge is now fully operational again, and we head into 2026 with renewed momentum.
Before we turn the page, we have one final request.

If you've already donated this year to support our mission of conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural resources of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge — thank you. Your commitment is the reason this work continues.

If you haven't yet given, or if you're able to make one additional gift before midnight on December 31, now is the time.

The Florida panther is more than an endangered species. It is a symbol of the wild and a keystone species in South Florida's ecosystem. With only an estimated 120 to 230 panthers remaining, every acre of protected habitat matters. 🌿

A year-end, tax-deductible gift supports:
→ Habitat restoration across 26,400 acres
→ Volunteer programs and essential field equipment
→ Education and outreach that connects people to nature

Every gift matters — whether it's $25 to keep a camera watching the panther's path or $500 to help restore native habitat.

Make your year-end gift before midnight on December 31 → www.FloridaPanther.org/donate
Here's to a strong and hopeful 2026. 🥂

11/12/2025

❓Did you know❓

Florida panther kittens are born with spots and blue eyes to help them hide in the undergrowth. As they grow, their spots fade and their eyes turn golden – a transformation that takes 1.5 to 2 years under their mother's watchful care.

These remarkable cats once roamed from the Carolinas to Texas. Today, with only 120-230 left, they're making their last stand right here in Southwest Florida.
They've survived near extinction. Now they need us to help them thrive.
In the 1990s, only 20-30 panthers remained. Through dedicated conservation efforts, they've clawed their way back from the brink.

Right now, while federal operations are paused, your support ensures this recovery continues. The Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge is keeping essential work moving forward – because panthers can't wait for bureaucracy to catch up.

Your gift today writes the next chapter of their survival story:

✨$10-15 helps purchase batteries and supplies needed to maintain 40+ trail cameras on the Refuge.
✨ $25-50 supports the volunteers who monitor their progress.
✨ $100 restores an area of native habitat they need to hunt and raise their young.
✨ $500+ funds the education programs that inspire the next generation of conservationists.

The panther's resilience inspires us. Your support sustains us.

Donate Now → https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/1nmL6TmZNXuDdTwzaQ7tQw

Read more Panther Facts: https://www.floridapanther.org/panther-facts

11/07/2025

⚠️When Funding Stops, Conservation Can't Wait! ⚠️

During the government shutdown, the Refuge must pause many of its operations — but our commitment to the panther remains strong.

The panthers still roam. The mission must continue. Thanks to supporters like you, it does. 💜

Your donation ensures work continues now and programs restart when operations resume:

💜 $25 keeps a camera watching the panther's path.
💙 $50 supports field volunteers and equipment.
💚$100 restores native habitat.
💖 $500+ helps fund monitoring and education programs.

Together, we can ensure the Florida Panther has a future.

Give today and show that when funding stops, conservation doesn't.

Donate Now → https://secure.lglforms.com/form.../s/1nmL6TmZNXuDdTwzaQ7tQw

11/05/2025

✨A Future for the Florida Panther Starts With You! ✨

Today marks the start of our Day of Giving for the Panther — a moment to unite behind Florida's most endangered animal.

Right now, the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is operating at reduced capacity due to the government shutdown. Nature doesn't take a furlough, and neither do we, thanks to supporters like you.

Your gift today keeps vital work moving forward: purchasing materials for habitat restoration, contracting stewardship projects, maintaining trail cameras and volunteer field equipment, and preparing education programs to launch the moment staff return.

This is more than a donation. It's a statement of values — showing that this refuge matters, now more than ever.

Here's the impact you can make:
💚 $10 helps restore and maintain one square yard of native habitat, ensuring the Refuge remains a safe home for the Florida Panther and its prey.
💛 $15 supports volunteer field supplies and helps ensure trail cameras and research equipment stay operational throughout the year.
💜 $25 keeps a camera watching the panther's path.
💙 $50 supports field volunteers and equipment.
💚$100 restores native habitat.
💖 $500+ helps fund monitoring and education programs.

Together, we can ensure the Florida Panther has a future. GIVE NOW and show that when funding stops, conservation doesn't!

Donate Now → https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/1nmL6TmZNXuDdTwzaQ7tQw

11/03/2025

Stand with the Panther!

The Florida panther is fighting for survival. With only 120 to 230 left in the wild, these magnificent cats need us now more than ever. This November, join the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge in a movement to protect Florida's most endangered animal.

Together, we can ensure the Florida Panther has a future — and that future starts with you.

Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter for updates!
https://www.floridapanther.org/

10/24/2025

If you can't get to The Florida Panther Festival at the Naples Zoo, tomorrow, you can watch Wildlife Nation to see what's being done to save the endangered Florida panther population!💖

10/23/2025

The Florida Panther Festival is one of our favorite outreach events! Many of our panther partners will be there, and it's always a thrill to see the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens' Athena! 💖 #

10/01/2025

The trails are open to traverse during this shutdown. Head on out and enjoy them safely! 🙂

Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

09/11/2025

We are incredibly honored to have been chosen as the beneficiary at this year's Cougar Fest, 's annual fundraiser on September 13th! Ceck out all the event details here: https://tigerworld.us/cougarfest/

Thank you for helping to support our mission to support the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge!