Sarasota County Acquires Conservation Easement on Elling Eide Property
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
SARASOTA COUNTY – In an ongoing effort to protect environmentally sensitive lands, Sarasota County has secured a 14.5-acre conservation easement on the Elling Eide property.
The acquisition, made through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) for $821,666, will safeguard critical habitats and wildlife corridors.
Located in Sarasota, the property is bordered by Little Sarasota Bay to the west and Bayonne Preserve to the north. It lies within the Bayonne Protection Priority Site, a designated priority area under the ESLPP since 1998.
The conservation easement preserves diverse ecosystems, including scrubby flatwoods, coastal hammock, mesic hammock and wetlands. These habitats support native wildlife such as white-tailed deer, bobcats, bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites, great horned owls and gopher tortoises, along with a variety of native vegetation such as Florida slash pine, live and laurel oak, cabbage palm, southern red cedar, southern magnolia, saw palmetto, prickly apple cactus, giant airplant, wild cinnamon, coontie, and black, red and white mangroves.
Ownership of the land remains with the Elling O. Eide Charitable Foundation, Inc. The property will not be open to the public, but it will be monitored annually to ensure compliance with conservation values outlined in the deed.
This acquisition reinforces the county’s commitment to protecting vital natural resources while maintaining responsible land stewardship through the Land Acquisition and Management Program.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of ESLPP which has protected 41,130 acres of land and 123 properties protected through purchases and conservation easements.
For more information, visit: SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions or call 311
