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The 1,996–acre site is composed of ten large and nine small parcels located near the northeastern limits of Sarasota County, east of Interstate 75 and north of Fruitville Road. Broad areas of flatwoods, containing low ridges and knolls, dominate the habitat. There are isolated areas of scrub live oak and possibly sand pine. Ponding may occur over much of the site for six to nine months of the typical year.

Importance
This site spans approximately five miles connecting the Gum Slough Protection Priority Site to the west to the Verna Flatwoods and Scrub Protection Priority Site to the east.

This site would serve as vital habitat and a wildlife corridor in the northern portion of Sarasota County, as well as a buffer for more intense development north of the county boundary.

Status
The majority of the site is owned by the city of Sarasota and utilized as a potable water wellfield; this use is compatible with protection of its environmental features. However, past and current management of the site is not addressing functional habitat preservation.

The site has no permanent protection should the city’s ownership or current use of the site change; the city could sell the site for less compatible development. The Sarasota City Commission has voted to consider entering into an agreement with Sarasota County to protect the site while allowing wellfield operations to continue.