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The 237-acre site includes more than 2.5 miles of shoreline along the western bank of the Myakka River. High quality examples of pine and scrubby flatwoods, mesic and hydric hammocks, sloughs, and depressional marshes are all found on the site. Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, American swallow-tailed kites, gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snakes, a variety of wading birds, and several rare plant species are found on these habitats.

Importance
This site provides a buffer between River Road and the Myakka River. Protecting this land could help form a corridor running along the western bank of the river from Myakka River State Park to Rambler’s Rest Resort.

Status
In 1999, the County purchased the 600-acre Jelks Preserve, using one-cent sales tax monies plus a generous contribution from the Jelks Family Foundation. The Jelks Preserve Grand Opening was held in December 2002.

Public Works acquired a 72-acre river front parcel for potential mitigation use in December 2005.