Sarasota County land-buying fund may run dry by 2029

Rising maintenance costs might deplete Sensitive Lands Protection Program in six years unless voters approve a referendum to extend it a second time.

A man riding his bicycle on the Legacy Trail.
A man riding his bicycle on the Legacy Trail.
File image
  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • Share

Since a 1999 voter-approved referendum established its Environmental Sensitive Lands Protection Program, with a 2005 extension through 2029, Sarasota County has made 90 acquisitions of some 40,000 acres for permanent conservation. In addition, since 2005, the county’s Neighborhood Parkland Program has made 23 acquisitions comprising approximately 116 acres. 

 

Continue reading your article
with a Business Observer subscription.
What's included:
  • ✓ Unlimited digital access to BusinessObserverFL.com
  • ✓ E-Newspaper app, digital replica of print edition
  • ✓ Mailed print newspaper every Friday (optional)
  • ✓ Newsletter of daily business news
Subscribe

Already subscribed? Sign in.

Latest News

  • March 24, 2026
Saks changes its mind: Sarasota-UTC store will remain open
  • March 24, 2026
233 acres in Charlotte County sold to Amazon
  • March 24, 2026
Sarasota angel investors back local software startup
  • March 24, 2026
Wealth management firm relocates in Lakewood Ranch

Sponsored Content