The Resource Management Division was established to conserve and protect natural and cultural resources under the ownership and/or management of Manatee County while maintaining and restoring the ecological integrity of the historic native ecosystems. This program manages and maintains over 30,000 acres contained in 16 public preserves in the county. The Resource Management staff continually work to restore or enhance disturbed and degraded areas of our county conservation lands to their native condition by using natural processes of prescribed burns in combination with mechanical cutting and clearing. Invasive, non-native plant species which negatively alter natural plant communities are removed by select application of herbicide. Water resource protection is a primary factor in land management and land use decisions.

The Resource Management program endeavors to provide excellent visitor experiences and access to these beautiful natural areas by maintaining all facilities and a wide array of passive and active recreational use. amenities and programs including multi-use trails, paddle trails, canoe/kayak launches, boardwalks, observation towers, pavilions, and a recreational hunt program.