SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources invite community members to help celebrate 25 years of land acquisition and conservation through its Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 15 at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve South, 10201 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

The event will feature guided walks, conservation exhibits, kayak tours, fishing and family-friendly activities that showcase the beauty, history and conservation successes of preserved lands. Special guest speakers, live music and food trucks will also be part of the celebration.

“This event highlights the diversity of habitats safeguarded through ESLPP and showcase the native plants and wildlife that thrive thanks to these preservation efforts,” said Nicole Rissler, director of Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. “We encourage the community to join us in celebrating this major milestone and to become active participants in protecting our environment for future generations.”

Sarasota County’s ESLPP is a voter-approved, taxpayer-funded program designed to acquire and protect natural lands. The first acquisition under the program was completed on Sept. 19, 2000, with the purchase of 110 acres of environmental land, now known as Manasota Scrub Preserve.

Since its inception, more than 42,000 acres of land have been protected through land purchases and conservation easements as part of ESLPP, providing safe habitat for many threatened and native species. 

For more information, visit: SarasotaCountyParks.com/LandAcquisitions or call 311.

For information on other park programs and events, visit sarasotacountyparks.com.