Johnson Preserve at Braden River

This oasis of nature is home to an amazing diversity of plants and animals not normally seen in similar suburban areas.

The Story

Through a creative public-private partnership, Big Waters worked with Manatee County, Friends of Keep Woods, and numerous residents throughout the community to conserve this land, now known as the Floyd C. Johnson & Flo Singer Johnson Preserve at Braden River. This was possible because the landowners, Pat and John Neal of Neal Communities and Neal Land Ventures, were willing to give the community the opportunity to buy the 32.38 acres slated for development. Empowered by the challenge grant of $500,000 from the Floyd C. Johnson & Flo Singer Johnson Foundation, and supported by early community gifts including that of the Manatee Fish & Game Association, Big Waters raised significant funds in a matter of weeks. On March 20, 2018 the Manatee County Commission voted to accept Conservation Foundation's gift of more than $1 million from the community and use tax dollars to fund the balance of the $3 million appraised value. By the closing date, Big Waters raised more than $1,029,645 which was given to Manatee County to contribute toward the purchase. We continued to collect donations through September 30, 2018, to help defray the public cost. Big Waters donated the adjoining 11 acres which were bequeathed by the late Carlton Bergstresser, making the preserve a total of 44 acres permanently protected.

Why it Matters

This oasis of nature is home to an amazing diversity of plants and animals not normally seen in similar suburban areas. It is a piece of ‘Old Florida” with mature live oaks, tall longleaf pines, important wetlands that store water preventing flooding, and imperiled swallowtail kites and gopher tortoises. The land’s riverfront and floodplain forests are part of a corridor linking natural habitat along the Braden River and the Braden River is a source of drinking water for the City of Bradenton. Manatee County is the 10^th fastest growing county in the nation. Since 2001 the Water Management District has recommended that every piece of natural land remaining along the Braden River should be conserved to protect our valuable drinking water and protect the diverse habitats and species which are the natural systems we humans depend upon. When Manatee County residents were recently asked what the most important facilities they wanted to see, nature trails were #1 with small neighborhood parks #2. This is consistent with studies conducted throughout the country about the importance of open space. Again and again, people say they want to get outside and enjoy nature!

Just the Facts

44

acres

Date Acquired

2018

32 acres were purchased, 11 acres were donated
The formal name is the Floyd C. Johnson & Flo Singer Johnson Preserve at Braden River
Owned and managed by Manatee County
The preserve is on the Braden River, with exceptional and significant plant diversity and abundant wildlife