When you think of Collier County’s iconic symbols, you might conjure up sunsets on the beach, fine dining or vivid green golf courses. Turkeys aren’t necessarily the first thought, but a wild turkey holds a special place on the county’s official seal and flag.
The wild turkey earned its distinction as Collier County’s official emblem in 1923, because the bird was a vital and tasty food source for early settlers. In 1962, the Clerk of Courts, Margaret T. Scott, officially added the bird to the county’s seal and later the flag.
Wild turkeys can still be found throughout Collier wetlands.
– Maria Pena, C2 Communications