'Nature's last stand': Film on the Florida panther aims to save Florida's Wildlife Corridor
St. Augustine’s Sing Out Loud Festival and the Live Wildly Foundation present a screening of "Path of the Panther" on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gamache-Koger Theatre in Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center located on 50 Sevilla St.
Paul Renner, speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, St. Augustine Commissioner Barbara Blonder and National Geographic Photographer George McKenzie will host a panel discussion advocating the proper protection of the panther’s habitat following the film.
The 90-minute documentary chronicles the advocacy to protect the Florida panther from encroaching development. Narrated by wildlife photographers, veterinarians, ranchers, conservationists and indigenous people, graphic and at times haunting footage shows adult panthers and their cubs surviving wildlife habitat within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre network of land and water through the center of the state. The corridor is, however, bordered by expanding developments that have permanently altered the Everglades – some say to the brink of ecological collapse.
“If we could show the world who the panther is,” said one narrator, “we could save the whole corridor.”
The film’s diverse coalition of narrators represent those who assisted in passing legislation signed in to law by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act. The measure, which passed unanimously through the Florida Legislature in 2021, encourages the protection of wildlife migration routes and natural habitats, despite mounting development in other parts of one of America's fast-growing states.
Describing the panther as a ghost, one narrator said that allowing the world to see who the panther is may be the “spark” that ignites saving the Florida Corridor.
"It's so hard to show that story," he said. "And you have to show people to create that connection and that love. There's so much disappointment, then there's this image of hope."
“The panther is showing us that it’s not too late,” said yet another narrator. “There’s no limit to the balance that we can bring back to this entire continent.”
Lisa Shipley, CEO of Live Wildly, described the Florida panther as a powerful testament of the beauty of nature and the need to protect the environment.
“We don’t yet know how this story will end,” she said in a news release. “We must continue working together to ensure the permanent protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor so it can bring benefits to both people and nature for generations to come.”
One narrator said that he thinks the generation of panthers born today could possibly bring the system back into balance.
"This is it," he said, "this is nature’s last stand."
Renner expressed his support in protecting Florida's natural resources for generations to come.
“(Senate) President (Kathleen) Passidomo and I have championed this vision over the past two years in the Florida Legislature," he told The St. Augustine Record in an email. "Legislative initiatives like the Florida Wildlife Corridor have contributed to major progress in conservation across our state, and I look forward to an important discussion about this work."
According to a news release, "Path of the Panther" exemplifies the Sing Out Loud Festival and Live Wildly’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation of Florida’s natural landscapes and wildlife.
"The event aims to bring together the local community in a shared experience that not only highlights the plight of the Florida panther but also encourages discussions on how viewers can Join the Movement and contribute to preserving Wild Florida," they said.
Live Wildly Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that uses an “entrepreneurial approach” to conservation by balancing growth, the economy and Florida's resilient landscape.
“Live Wildly Foundation advances conservation in Florida by creating diverse coalitions, fostering collaboration, and empowering stakeholders,” they said in their mission statement. “In partnership with Bellini Better World, Live Wildly strives to achieve a harmonious and sustainable future where economic prosperity coexists with a thriving and resilient ecological landscape.”
"Path of the Panther" is directed by Eric Bendick, produced by Grizzly Creek Films and Wildpath Productions with Leonardo Di Caprio and Jennifer Davisson serving as executive producers.
This event is free and open to the public, but advance RSVP is required.
Click here to view the trailer of "Path of the Panther."
'Path of the Panther' film aims to promote Florida's Wildlife Corridor (staugustine.com)