Longino Ranch
Longino Ranch is spectacular for its size, abundant wildlife, and connectivity with other protected land.
The Story
Big Waters served as the acquisition agent for Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) between 2007 and 2014. During that time, we used our land conservation expertise to preserve a number of properties through this program that are considered iconic natural areas, including Longino Ranch. We worked closely with the Longino family to create a conservation easement that would forever protect the ranch’s beautiful woods, waterways, and pastures, while at the same time allowing the family to continue their traditional ranch lifestyle. In 2024, we helped Longino Ranch leadership protect an additional 56 acres at the Ranch. The newly conserved acreage connects to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and expands the network of protected lands across the state while remaining privately owned and managed by Longino Ranch. This protection marked the fourth time Ranch leadership demonstrated their commitment to conservation, protecting over 8,400 acres over the past 22 years.
Why it Matters
Located in eastern Sarasota County, this ranch was conserved as part of a larger effort to create a continuous corridor of natural land, stretching from Arcadia to Sarasota, from the Peace River to Myakka River. This block of land is now more than 130,000 acres in size, and includes Myakka River State Park and the T. Mabry Carlton Memorial Reserve. It is hoped that in time, this corridor will connect to the everglades and bring Florida black bears and Florida panthers back to our region. At the same time, the “River to River” wilderness trail has been proposed, so that people can Florida’s wilderness, and hike all the way from the Myakka River to the Peace River.
Just the Facts
4,616
acres
Date Acquired
2010 and 2024
- 3,960 acres protected 2010
- Additional 656 acres protected in 2024
- Mesic hammock, marshes, sloughs, mesic flatwoods
- Privately owned, conservation easements held by SWFWMD and Sarasota County
