Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program, which encompasses the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP), continues to preserve natural lands and acquire parklands throughout Sarasota County. The programs are voter-approved and taxpayer-funded and have been instrumental in acquiring and protecting more than 110 properties, totaling more than 41,000 acres since ESLPP began in 1999 and NPP began in 2005. The program enhances biodiversity, protects species and habitats, establishes wildlife corridors and provides nature-based recreational areas. Neighborhood parkland acquisitions have successfully provided community access, preserved natural and cultural resources, and increased recreational water and trail access opportunities throughout Sarasota County. Sarasota County encourages residents and visitors to participate in these efforts by nominating land for protection. A video explaining the program can be viewed here. Interested individuals can complete a land nomination form by visiting SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions. On July 9, the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners approved a contract to purchase a property through ESLPP. The property is approximately 4.38 acres and is located at Lemon Bay Drive, Venice, in unincorporated Sarasota County. The habitat is predominantly mangrove swamp with some mesic hammocks and remnant scrub habitat. Native vegetation includes slash pine, saw palmetto, cabbage palm, live and laurel oak, and red, black and white mangroves. Species such as brown pelican, roseate spoonbill, little blue heron, green and brown anoles, and gopher tortoise call the property home.The acquisition is expected to be completed by December. For more information about Sarasota County’s land acquisition programs or to submit a land nomination, please call 311 or visit SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions.