Land Acquisition and Management Program
Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (South Entrance)
📅 Saturday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join us for a celebration honoring 25 years of Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. From guided nature walks to interactive programs, each activity highlights the beauty, history and conservation successes of the lands we’ve preserved together!
Event activities include:
- Conservation exhibitors
- Family-friendly activities
- Fishing
- Food trucks
- Guided walks
- Kayak tours
- Live music
- Special guest speakers
Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration:
A Quarter-Century of Acquisition and Conservation
Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) was created to acquire and protect natural areas that provide vital habitat, safeguard water resources and preserve the county’s unique character. Funded by voter-approved referendums, the program has conserved thousands of acres for wildlife and future generations. The first acquisition under the program was completed on Sept. 19, 2000, with the purchase of 110 acres of environmental land on Manasota Beach Road in Englewood, now known as Manasota Scrub Preserve.
Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program and Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program
100th Acquisition: Camp Venice
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources has completed its 100th land acquisition through ESLPP with the purchase of the former Camp Venice RV Resort, 4085 E. Venice Ave., Venice. The 20-acre property, located along the Myakka River next to Snook Haven Park and near Sleeping Turtles Preserve South, features diverse natural habitats and native vegetation. Plans are underway to reopen the site as a riverfront campground with upgraded utilities, improved accessibility and new connections to nearby parks and preserves.
Funded through the voter-approved ESLPP and Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP), this milestone marks the first joint acquisition between the two programs and the 25th anniversary of ESLPP. Since 2000, more than 42,000 acres have been protected under the program, safeguarding critical habitats and native species across Sarasota County. Residents are invited to celebrate this achievement at the Environmental Lands Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve (South Entrance), 10201 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.
Highlighting Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition Management Program
Hear from former and current Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources directors about the Land Acquisition Management Program and how it protects and preserves our natural resources and lands here in Sarasota County.
Let's grow something amazing together!
The LAMP Plantable Cards contain black-eyed Susan, also known as yellow coneflower, a native Florida species that benefits the local ecosystem by attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Agents of Discovery
Discover Sarasota County’s parks in a whole new way with Agents of Discovery, the award-winning mobile game that transforms your park visit into a fun and interactive mission! Explore nature, solve challenges and uncover fun facts.
As part of Sarasota County’s Environmental Lands Celebration, two exciting missions await: trek through the rare habitats of Manasota Scrub Preserve (Sept. 19–Dec. 31) or journey into the wild beauty of Deer Prairie Creek Preserve’s South Entrance (Nov. 15–Dec. 31). Additional missions are available year-round at other park locations—just download the free app, head to a site and start your mission today!
Background and History
Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP) are voter-approved and taxpayer-funded programs designed to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands.
In 1999, voters approved a referendum for a not-to-exceed 0.25 mil ad valorem tax collected through 2019 to be used for the acquisition, protection and management of environmentally sensitive lands.
In 2005, voters approved a second referendum extending the ESLPP through 2029 and expanding the county’s land protection efforts to include the acquisition and management of neighborhood parkland.
Sarasota County also acquires land through other means, including grants, donations, partnerships and conservation easements. Citizens who wish to nominate land to be considered for county acquisition may complete a land nomination form.
Community Involvement
The Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee and the Parks Advisory and Recreation Council are the two advisory boards authorized by the Board of County Commissioners to review nominated properties and make recommendations to the Board for the acquisition and use of environmentally sensitive lands and neighborhood parkland.
Fun Facts
- ESLPP lands provide safe habitat for many threatened and native species including gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, West Indian manatees, bobcats, eagles and migrant birds. Acquisition and protection of these lands ensures that these natural areas will be there for future generations.
- Sarasota County has partnered in the past with non-profit land protection organizations including: The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Trust for Public Land and NorthStar to assist with land acquisitions for ESLPP and NPP.
- There are 32 diverse and environmentally sensitive areas/regions identified throughout the county for possible acquisition through ESLPP.
- 98 properties containing more than 41,000 acres of land have been protected through land purchases and conservation easements as part of ESLPP.
- 24 properties (109 acres) have been acquired through NPP, expanding existing parks and connecting people to trails, waterways and beaches.
Eligibility and Criteria
To be considered under the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program or Neighborhood Parklands Acquisition Program a property must have a willing seller.
The criteria for considering parkland acquisitions include:
- Location
- Broad community access
- Proximity and connectedness
- Natural features
- Cultural features
- Compatible community needs
- Water access
The criteria considered for environmental acquisitions are:
- Rarity
- Quality
- Connectivity
- Manageability
- Water quality benefits
The land nomination form may be used for either program and contains more information about the criteria.
Nominating Land
To submit a land nomination form, send the completed land nomination form to landnominations@scgov.net, or mail the form to:
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Attn: Land Nominations
1660 Ringling Blvd., 5th Floor
Sarasota, FL 34236
For more information, call 311.
Documents
ESLPP Map - January 2025- NPP Map - January 2025
- ESLPP and NPP Properties in Commission Districts - July 2025
- ESLPP Properties in Commission Districts - July 2025
- NPP Properties in Commission Districts - July 2025
- ESLPP and NPP Properties in Commission District 1 - July 2025
- ESLPP and NPP Properties in Commission District 2 - July 2025
- ESLPP and NPP Properties in Commission District 3 - July 2025
- ESLPP and NPP Properties in Commission District 4 - July 2025
- ESLPP and NPP Properties in Commission District 5 - July 2025
- All Protected Lands in Sarasota County - June 2025
- Environmental Lands Acquisitions - June 2025
- Land Acquisition and Management Program Community Education Plan
- Land Acquisition Programs Nomination Form
- Neighborhood Parkland Acquisitions - June 2025
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