OSPREY, FL (April 14, 2026) – No matter whether you moved to Florida last year or are a native, you know that Florida’s landscape is quickly changing. With almost a thousand people moving to Florida every day, new housing starts are booming. It seems that everywhere we look another new development is destroying beautiful, natural habitat, the very reason so many of us live here. At the same time, Federal funds for land conservation have been wiped out and even in some cases, clawed back. State funds for land conservation are also drying up; the State House budget proposal has zero for Florida Forever while the State Senate’s proposed budget has only $35M. Just three years ago lawmakers committed to funding land acquisition programs by at least $100M annually.
True to the saying, “All politics is local,” 24 Florida counties have voter-approved, land conservation programs. Manatee and Sarasota Counties are such places. In 2020, 71% of Manatee County citizens voted to tax themselves to save land. Citizens in Sarasota have voted twice over the last 27 years to tax themselves to save land under the Environmentally Sensitive Land Protection (ESLP) and Parkland Programs – in 1999 and 2005, which passed by 80%!
These taxpayer funded land protection programs are wildly successful. Manatee County has added almost 5,000 acres of protected land since the ballot measure passed. In Sarasota County, ESLP has protected 101 properties for 42,000 acres while 31 properties have been acquired for Parkland equaling 143 acres. Beloved places like Red Bug Slough and Snook Haven Campground as well as Deer Prairie Creek and Sleeping Turtle Preserves. These programs not only provide places for people to enjoy nature, they also protect our natural lands from development. One tool the ESLP program uses is conservation easements – a perpetual agreement in which the private landowner willingly agrees to not develop their property. Sarasota County has 16 of these agreements on large tracts of land like Carlton Ranch and Longino Ranch.
For years, Big Waters Land Trust has partnered with Sarasota County and Manatee County to save land utilizing these programs. Since our inception, we’ve protected over 20,000 acres – 9,000+ of which were in partnership with Sarasota County and 773 acres with Manatee County. These programs are highly effective and allow public/private partnerships making tax dollars and private donations go farther.
Sarasota County’s ESLP and Parkland Programs are set to expire in 2029 and this November Sarasota County voters will again be asked if they want to tax themselves to save our land. We hope the answer is just as resounding as it was in 2005. That is why Big Waters Land Trust, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and The Trust for Public Land have partnered with many private citizens to create a Political Action Committee (PAC) called Sarasota County Forever that will educate and advocate for success this November. Two, longtime citizen servants have agreed to chair the PAC: Senator Lisa Carlton and Rob Patten. Many more private citizens and companies have joined the PAC. We welcome any and all!
What you need to know:
- There will be two questions on the November ballot: (1) to extend Sarasota County ESLP and Parkland Programs for another 20 years at the current .25 mil ad valorem rate, and (2) to reauthorize bonding over the lifetime of the program not to exceed $250M.
- Both are to continue the programs as they are today; no changes!
- There will be an annual public audit of how the funds are spent.
- There will be full public disclosure of all public spending.
- There is a citizens oversight committee over both programs, guiding the County Commissioners.
Why should you vote YES and YES?
- To continue protecting wildlife habitat, parklands, and preserve natural places.
- To protect drinking water sources, water quality, and help reduce flooding.
- To conserve sensitive lands from future development.
- To quicken the pace of land conservation, we need bonding to accelerate the funding.
We hope you join us! Tell all your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues that vote in Sarasota County about the programs and the ballot measures to extend them another 20 years. Invite us to speak at your civic organization, HOA, or other meeting.
Learn more on Facebook, Sarasota County Forever, or email us at SarasotaCountyForever@gmail.com.
Together, we can save what’s left of why we all live here.
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Christine P. Johnson is a fifth generation Floridian, President of Big Waters Land Trust, and past chair of the Science and Environment Council.
This column is part of EcoBeat, a monthly series produced by the Science and Environment Council to bring leading Gulf Coast environmental voices directly to the public.
Learn more at scienceandenvironmentlorg/ecobeat.
COVER PHOTO INFORMATION:
Photo Credit: Sarah D. Williams
Location: Myakka Headwaters Preserve
Conservation Information: Myakka Headwaters Preserve was conserved in 2020.
About Big Waters Land Trust
Big Waters protects Florida’s land and water for the benefit of people and nature. Through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations, and government, they work to ensure all people have access to clean water, fresh air, nutritious food, abundant wildlife, beautiful natural areas to enjoy, and all the other physical and mental benefits nature provides. Their vital work strengthens Florida’s resiliency to storms and floods, enriches lives, and helps safeguard our community for generations to come. Learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org.
