13 acres will be incorporated into Pine Island Preserve.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Manatee County commissioners have made a significant decision, unanimously voting to purchase over 13 acres of land to enhance the Pine Island Preserve.

The $40,000 acquisition will be funded by Manatee County’s conservation tax, allowing the preserve to nearly reach 100 acres in total area. This initiative aims to consolidate the northern part of Pine Island and prevent any private development on previously held land, according to Michael Elswick, the division manager for Manatee County’s Parks and Natural Resources Department.

With a decade of experience in his role, Elswick has observed substantial changes in the county, alongside efforts to enhance land conservation. He remarked, “Since 2020, the county has been much more aggressive, responding to the expansion of development and starting to work with its own money… to really start acquiring some of these places that were starting to disappear.”

The newly acquired land is located at the northern edge of Pine Island, adjacent to the mouth of the Braden River, with the nearest access point being the State Road 64 boat ramp, which is accessible only by boat.

“This place in particular is home to wood storks,” Elswick noted. “There’s a bald eagle nest out there, or immediately adjacent to it. It helps protect their habitat. There’s a lot of mangroves that have a ton of benefit.”

Elswick emphasized that these conservation efforts highlight the county’s commitment to environmental preservation. “One of the big things is creating connectivity on the landscape. This is right along the greenways ecological network, going all the way from Tampa Bay to Emerson Point Preserve up the river,” he explained.