Voters will be asked in 2026 whether they will give program at least another three years.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: November 7, 2025
Host: The Sarasota County Land Bank, a tool to create affordable housing, does not have it, but the county’s environmental land preservation effort does: a recurring funding source. Ramon Lopez has news about the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program.
Ramon Lopez: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first purchase in Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program. Celebrations culminate with a large event on November 15 at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve.
ESLPP is a voter-approved, taxpayer-funded program to acquire natural land, provide parklands and protect wildlife. To date, the program has preserved thousands of acres of critical native habitats, safeguarded water resources, and provided diverse recreational opportunities for county residents.
Park, Rec and Natural Resources Director Nicole Rissler said the ESLLP was first established in 1999. A second referendum followed in 2005. She called it a high priority item. To date, the county has protected 100 properties, totaling more than 42,000 acres of land. In addition, 27 neighborhood parkland sites have been acquired, totaling over 142 acres.
Now the county is finalizing a new Future Land Acquisition and Park referendum that will be on the November 2026 general election ballot. If passed, it would continue the land acquisition program for another three years. We could then see the environmental program extended through 2049.
With little discussion, and by unanimous vote, the Board of Sarasota County Commissioners this past Monday issued a required Technical Assistance Letter that brings on three local groups to the program at no cost to the county. They are the Trust for Public Land, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Big Waters Land Trust. They will once again assist county workers with feasibility research, public opinion surveys and development of strategies for the county’s ongoing ESLLP.
Nicole Rissler outlines what the trio will provide.
Nicole Rissler
Nicole Rissler: The technical assistance services allows them, on our behalf the county’s behalf, to do feasibility studies, public opinion surveys and really develop some strategies around the ballot language and give advice to you. All their technical assistance, moving forward into the actual referendum in 2026, they do with zero taxpayer dollars. They privately fund those activities.
RL: And the Parks and Rec boss laid out the remaining steps leading up to the November 2026 referendum.
NR: Continued community education and awareness of our current program and all of its success, and then continue to refine those referendum details for your consideration in early 2026.
RL: This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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