What Has the Program Accomplished So Far?

• More than 42,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land have been protected — 101 properties safeguarded through land purchases and conservation easements.
• 31 properties (about 143 acres) have been acquired to expand neighborhood parks and improve connections to trails, waterways, and beaches.
• Protected lands provide safe habitat for threatened and native species such as gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, West Indian manatees, bobcats, bald eagles, and migratory birds.
• 32 additional environmentally sensitive areas across the county have been identified for potential future protection.

Why it Matters

Time is of the essence. If we don’t act now, we may lose our natural lands forever.

Sarasota County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida. Once natural land is developed, it is gone for good, and land values are rising fast, putting critical parcels out of reach with every passing year. Continuing the program now allows Sarasota County to protect drinking water sources, conserve natural floodwater storage, and preserve remaining open space before those opportunities disappear. It is far less expensive to protect land today than to repair the consequences of losing it tomorrow.

This program:

• Helps slow the pace of development that can negatively impact the quality of life and increase costs for residents.
• Protects “Old Florida” landscapes, preserving the region’s natural character, wildlife, and ecosystems.
• Safeguards drinking water quality by preventing runoff and harmful pollutants from entering Sarasota County’s water supply.
• Conserves forests and wetlands that provide natural flood protection for homes and businesses.
• Has already protected more than 42,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land, supporting threatened species such as Florida scrub-jays, West Indian manatees, and bald eagles, while expanding connections to trails, waterways, and beaches.

In November 2026, voters will be asked whether to extend funding for the acquisition of parks and preserves. Originally approved by more than 80% of voters in 2005, this program has a strong and proven track record. Extending it will ensure Sarasota County can continue to protect vital lands before they are lost, while also expanding access to parks, trails, and outdoor spaces that strengthen the community’s health, resilience, and economy.

What Does the Program Protect, Specifically?

The program focuses on the priorities voters care about most:

• Clean Water: Protecting land around our water supply helps prevent pollutants from reaching water sources, thus safeguarding drinking water, and filters pollutants from stormwater before it reaches our beaches and bays.
• Flood Protection: Conserving forests and wetlands provides natural floodwater storage that helps protect homes and local businesses from flooding during storms.
• Wildlife and Natural Areas: Protected habitat keeps native and threatened species, forests, and natural areas intact for future generations.
• Parks and Open Space: Neighborhood parkland and open space give residents places to enjoy the outdoors and help slow the rampant development that drives up costs and strains quality of life.

Who Runs the Program, and Are Partners Involved?

Sarasota County administers the program. The County also stretches local dollars further by partnering with respected conservation organizations — including the State of Florida, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Big Waters Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, Neighborhood Land Conservancy, and The Nature Conservancy — and by leveraging grants, donations, and conservation easements to acquire and manage land at lower cost to taxpayers.