County’s Land Acquisition Program purchases two properties in Venice

One entails 4.14 acres on Lemon Bay Drive; the second, 5 acres on East Venice Avenue

Images courtesy Sarasota County

Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP), a part of the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, “has acquired two ecologically significant properties in Venice, furthering its mission to protect and preserve Florida’s natural habitats,” county staff has announced.

Finalized on Jan. 21, the transactions involved a 4.14-acre property on Lemon Bay Drive, which was purchased for $350,000, and a 5-acre parcel on East Venice Avenue, which the county bought for $950,000, a news release says.

“The Lemon Bay Drive property, located along Lemon Bay and Alligator Creek, features mangrove swamp, mesic hammock and remnant scrub,” the release notes. Located within the ESLPP’s Lemon Bay Preserve Protection Priority Site, it “provides critical habitat for wading birds, gopher tortoises, brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, little blue herons, green and brown anoles and other marine life while playing a key role in coastal resilience,” the release points out.

“The East Venice Avenue property lies within the Myakka River watershed,” the release continues. It “consists of mesic hammock and scrubby flatwoods, supporting species such as gopher tortoises, red-shouldered hawks, barred owls and bobcats.”

“As part of the Sleeping Turtles South Protection Priority Site, this acquisition enhances habitat connectivity and helps protect the watershed’s natural resources,” the release adds. The property “enhances habitat connectivity and protects the watershed’s natural resources,” the release notes.

For more information about Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.