On Friday, April 12, Sarasota County completed the acquisition of the 5-acre property at 3905 E. Venice Ave., Venice. The property is within a priority conservation area of Sarasota County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP). It is located near Snook Haven Park and Sleeping Turtles Preserve South and in close proximity to another recent purchase along E. Venice Avenue. "We have been able to acquire beautiful, natural sites with the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program," said Nicole Rissler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. "These sites are important for local wildlife and are key for connectivity in the area."Notable wildlife sightings on the property include gopher tortoises, red-shouldered hawks and great horned owls. Diverse plant life inhabits the property as well, including southern red cedar, cabbage palm and pond cypress. The property consists of mesic flatwood and remnant scrubby flatwood habitat. The newly acquired property was secured through Sarasota County's ESLPP, a voter-approved and taxpayer-funded program designed to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands. Community members interested in nominating land to be considered for county acquisition may complete a land nomination form. The completed form can be sent to landnominations@scgov.net or mailed to: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, Attn: Land Nominations, 1660 Ringling Blvd., 5th Floor, Sarasota.