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View the Candidate Property Dashboard for Conservation Acquisition
View candidate properties for conservation acquisition.
Nominate A Property for the Environmental Lands Program
The Environmental Lands Program is focused on the conservation of Manatee County’s environmental heritage. Only properties whose owners want to have their land considered for purchase are considered.
The Environmental Lands Program is focused on the conservation of Manatee County's environmental heritage to benefit todays and future generations. Our staff works with the Environmental Land Management and Acquisition Committee (ELMAC) to advise the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on environmental land acquisition, management, and recreational programming. the BoCC decides which properties can be purchased. Only properties whose owners want to have their land considered for purchase are considered.
A grassroots effort, led by individuals and organizations throughout the region, resulted in a successful 2020 Referendum to finance the acquisition, improvement, and management of conservation lands. The Conservation and Parks Projects Referendum calls for a 0.15 mill ad valorum tax and up to $50,000,000 in general obligation bonds. Partnerships with many other organizations result in additional funds and resources that support the success of the program.
Manatee County has sixteen preserves established through a combination of land donations, land purchases, grants from other organizations, and partnerships with Land Trusts. Habitat restoration, ongoing resource management, and providing access for hiking, biking, running, swimming, paddling, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, camping, and picnics are rewarding challenges for Manatee County staff. Many recreational and outdoor education opportunities are provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Four main criteria are used to assess Natural Resource Value. The criteria were established in the ELMAC Ordinance in 2003 and are fundamental to conservation and preservation programs throughout the Country.
- Ecological Quality – quality of species or habitat, degree of alteration or degradation, level of restoration required
- Rarity of Species or Habitat – uniqueness, number of threatened, endangered or species of special concern supported
- Importance to Water Resources – protection of or degradation to portable water supply or aquatic environment
- Connectivity – proximity to existing conservation lands or planned corridor, size of connection.
While the Natural Resource Value criteria above address the purpose of the Referendum, these specific elements are evaluated to determine how well sites meet the purpose of the Referendum.
- Drinking Water Protection
- Water Quality Protection
- Prevention of Stormwater Runoff Pollution
- Preservation of Fish Habitat
- Preservation of Wildlife Habitat
- Provision of Parks
A conservation easement, also known as “less-than-fee” purchase, acquires only the property rights needed for the conservation goal (i.e., development and land use conversion rights). More on conservation easements and their benefits can be found at this link. The program provides for both fee simple and conservation easement acquisition. A fee simple purchase transfers full ownership of the property to another party.
ELMAC ordinance considerations specific to agricultural easements include:
- Land quality for agricultural use - prime, unique, local or state-wide importance
- Economic viability – size, on-site farm infrastructure, proximity to off-site farm infrastructure, such as markets
- Compatibility of surrounding uses
- Degree of development pressure - proximity to the urban service boundary, zoning, residential development
- Proximity to other protected agricultural, environmental lands or wildlife corridors/greenways
- Enhancement or preservation of wildlife habitat, air and water quality, hydrology, ground water recharge, scenic, historic, and other cultural features