Manatee County to protect 1,500 acres of ranch land

Manatee County commissioners recently authorized the protection of more than 1,500 acres of agricultural land from development. The properties include 1,045 acres at Thundercloud Ranch and 483 acres at Mossy Island Ranch. Through a partnership with the state, Manatee County will contribute up to $2 million toward their preservation.

In a move to jointly purchase conservation easements for the two ranches, commissioners voted unanimously at their Jan. 27 meeting to enter into memoranda of understanding with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

“It is a state program looking for partners in local governments like ourselves to ensure that these easements are for perpetual agricultural use,” Manatee County Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker told commissioners at their Jan. 27 meeting. Partnering with the state to protect the land aligns with the county’s strategic plan of maintaining agricultural diversity, Hunsicker added.

Thundercloud Ranch, located at 28821 State Road 62 in Parrish, is a working cattle operation that supports native woodlands, freshwater marshes, wet prairies, lake swamps and forested wetlands, according to a statement. Under the proposed memorandum of understanding, Manatee County’s partnership contribution will be capped at $1.5 million.

Image via Manatee County Government / Facebook

Mossy Island Ranch, located at 14715 Mossy Hammock Lane in Myakka City, is also a working cattle operation. It supports sustainable cattle, hay and sod production along with native woodlands, freshwater marshes, wet prairies, lake swamps and forested wetlands, according to a memo from Manatee County environmental lands program personnel to commissioners. Manatee County’s partnership contribution under the agreement will be capped at $500,000.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be the final party to execute the easements and will handle their recording. Once the easements are recorded, the state will begin to implement the easement restrictions.

“The easements will preserve Manatee County’s agricultural heritage by maintaining the economic viability of working lands while safeguarding their ecological and habitat value,” according to the statement from the county. Among the protected areas are ”wildlife corridors that connect to nearby preserved lands, strengthening regional conservation efforts.”

Thundercloud Ranch is a connecting parcel for Edward W. Chance Reserve (Gilley Creek Tract) and South Fork State Park and lies within the Manatee River Watershed. Mossy Island Ranch borders Myakka River State Park and Myakka Prairie Conservation Easements and lies within the Myakka River Watershed and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.