How Manatee County FL voters are funding land conservation

Manatee County is using a conservation tax approved by voters in 2020 to buy and protect natural Florida landscapes from development.

This collection of stories details the properties that have been bought so far or are in the process of being acquired.

They include new preserves, like Crooked River Ranch in Parrish, as well as expansions of existing conservation areas like Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto and Pine Island Preserve on the Braden River. The program aims to preserve "Old Florida" landscapes, including rare and endangered ecosystems and wildlife. With input from the Environmental Land Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee, more conservation sites are set to be prioritized soon.

Read the stories below.

Manatee County approved the purchase of 68 acres in Parrish called Crooked River Ranch along the Manatee River “for preservation and future recreation.” A county employee was busy creating a trail on the property with machinery on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

NO. 1: NEW PARRISH NATURE PRESERVE IS THE FIRST OF MANY FOR MANATEE COUNTY. HERE’S A PREVIEW

County leaders approved the $11.2 million purchase of former ranch land for land conservation after voters overwhelmingly supported the referendum in 2020. | Published January 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ryan Ballogg

The Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee has recommended that Manatee County Government purchase 98 acres next door to Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto. The Manatee Board of County Commissioners is weighing whether to go forward with the purchase and expand the preserve. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 2: MANATEE COUNTY VOTES TO EXPAND NATURE PRESERVE ALONG TAMPA BAY. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Previous appraisals had estimated the land’s value between $11 to $12.5 million. | Published March 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ryan Ballogg

Manatee County is seeking the state’s help to conserve 550 acres of land in Myakka that could form a key link in the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Part of the land they are looking at is past the tree line midway in this photo taken March 13, 2025. Betts Road is seen on the left and part of Anson Road, a private road, is on the right. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 3: MANATEE COUNTY LOOKS TO PROTECT FLORIDA PANTHER, MYAKKA LAND WITH $5 MILLION PURCHASE

It’s part of a statewide plan to protect endangered species from development. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ryan Ballogg

Manatee County is buying land in the Braden River south of S.R. 64 called North Pine Island to contribute to the natural habitat and preserve water quality shown here on May 14, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 4: MANATEE COUNTY JUST AGREED TO BUY PART OF AN ISLAND. HERE’S WHY

The island is home to wetlands and colorful birds. | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ryan Ballogg

Manatee County is using voter-approved conservation funds to purchase 4.5 acres of forested land around the Rye Cemetery and Rye Preserve in Parrish to shield the area from future development. A headstone is pictured at the cemetery on June 18, 2025. By Ryan Ballogg

NO. 5: MANATEE COUNTY IS BUYING FOREST LAND AROUND AN OLD CEMETERY. HERE’S WHY

Leaders also voted to expand a park in Myakka City. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ryan Ballogg

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.