Land Acquisition and Management Program

Background and History

Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP) are voter-approved and taxpayer-funded programs designed to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands.

In 1999, voters approved a referendum for a not-to-exceed 0.25 mil ad valorem tax collected through 2019 to be used for the acquisition, protection and management of environmentally sensitive lands.

In 2005, voters approved a second referendum extending the ESLPP through 2029 and expanding the county’s land protection efforts to include the acquisition and management of neighborhood parkland.

Sarasota County also acquires land through other means, including grants, donations, partnerships and conservation easements. Citizens who wish to nominate land to be considered for county acquisition may complete a land nomination form.

Community Involvement

The Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee and the Parks Advisory and Recreation Council are the two advisory boards authorized by the Board of County Commissioners to review nominated properties and make recommendations to the Board for the acquisition and use of environmentally sensitive lands and neighborhood parkland.

Fun Facts

• ESLPP lands provide safe habitat for many threatened and native species including gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, West Indian manatees, bobcats, eagles and migrant birds. Acquisition and protection of these lands ensures that these natural areas will be there for future generations.
• Sarasota County has partnered in the past with non-profit land protection organizations including: The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Trust for Public Land and NorthStar to assist with land acquisitions for ESLPP and NPP.
• There are 32 diverse and environmentally sensitive areas/regions identified throughout the county for possible acquisition through ESLPP.
• 91 properties containing more than 40,000 acres of land have been protected through land purchases and conservation easements as part of ESLPP.
• 24 properties (109 acres) have been acquired through NPP, expanding existing parks and connecting people to trails, waterways and beaches.