Another grand nature preserve opens in Manatee County on Perico Island

Upon a grand opening on a gloriously clear day last Saturday, Perico Preserve became yet another gem in Manatee County’s collection of conservation land attractions — all of which fortify our quality of life. Remarkably, the 176-acre conservation project is the second nature preserve to open this year and the third in the past 13 months.

The Neal Preserve opened in April 2015 on 120 acres along Sarasota Bay, a close neighbor to the Perico park. The 35-acre urban oasis known as the Ungarelli Preserve, off Palma Sola Boulevard, debuted this past winter. Plus, the Rye Preserve nature center opened in January with high-quality exhibits unique to the county’s park system. And improvements are under way at Moody Branch, a 960-acre preserve east of Lake Parrish.

Manatee’s mammoth crown jewel, though, is the 487-acre Robinson Preserve, a Northwest Bradenton wonder that attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually. Four years ago, the county acquired an adjacent 150 acres, which is currently undergoing a multiphase restoration and enhancement project. Some 20 to 30 acres of the property hold a rare botanical treasure planted with seeds from around the world by a legendary nurseryman who operated a farm on the site for his family's nursery, established in the 1880s in Oneco.

The county’s greatest virtue is simply the great outdoors. While the sugar-coated beaches on the barrier islands and the fishing, boating and kayaking opportunities along our waterways stand out as premier attractions for locals and visitors, our dozen nature preserves have become a dynamic and desirable part of life here, too. Those preserves cover some 30,000 acres and counting, with Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker at the helm.

With an observation tower, boardwalks and trails, the Perico Preserve is all about nature like its kin around the county. But this place is the only one with a bird blind to allow birders to quietly watch the shore and wading foul and other winged creatures.

Acquired as farmland, the county transformed the Perico property into a mix of habitats. The fresh and saltwater marshes, forested hammock and uplands scrub attract all manner of wildlife, and the park is uniquely designed for visitors to view and photograph native creatures and the more than 100 plant species. The preserve is also unique in that only service dogs are allowed and bicycles are restricted to designated trails to minimize distractions from the environmental prominence.

Even before Perico’s gates opened to the public, the preserve achieved national recognition. “The Rookery at Perico Preserve” — an island for wading birds in the middle of the park — won a 2016 National Environmental Excellence Award from the National Association of Environmental Professionals. The project designer, Stantec of Sarasota, states the rookery “showcases a commitment to improving fish and wildlife habitats on Florida’s Suncoast ...” That can be said of the county’s full complement of preserves.

While not a county park, the Felts Audobon Park in Palmetto merits a mention as a truly hidden gem. With 158 avian species and 33 butterfly breeds, the 27-acre ecosystem serves as an environmental education center. “The most beautiful bird in North America,” as judged by many, resides at Felts. The male painted bunting — with a dark blue head, green back and red rump — is a big draw for birders.

Perico Preserve is also a birder’s paradise. And another place for a pleasant stroll among the many beauties of nature. Kudos to Manatee County, and Hunsicker, for regenerating and saving ecosystems for the public’s enjoyment.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 11:13 AM with the headline "Another grand nature preserve opens in Manatee County on Perico Island."