County signs letter of commitment for Florida Forever funds to add Myakka Corridor acreage

Manatee County commissioners approved a county letter of commitment supporting a Florida Forever grant application to purchase the Myakka Corridor addition (Anson/Red properties) adjacent to Bridal Oak Preserve.

The county’s Environmental Lands Division presented the request as a partnership opportunity with Florida Forever to acquire approximately 550 acres west of Myakka City, expanding contiguous preserved habitat and strengthening the county’s conservation holdings. Deborah Worth, Environmental Lands Division Manager, said the acquisition complements previously closed Bridal Oak parcels and could significantly expand the county’s wildlife corridor and conservation buffer along State Road 70.

Commissioners discussed the county’s use of voter‑approved conservation funding (bond or referendum monies) and agreed a local match would enhance the project’s competitiveness. Commissioner Feltz emphasized the community’s earlier decision to increase property tax support for green space and said the county should use that voter mandate to preserve additional large parcels. The board authorized staff to deliver a written commitment and proceed with the Florida Forever application.

The motion passed unanimously (6–0; Commissioner Siddique absent). Staff will finalize the letter and move the county’s application forward; no county purchase price or appropriation was finalized at the meeting.

Why it matters: The proposed purchase would expand preserved open space and provide ecological benefits for water quality and wildlife connectivity, and the county flagged potential gains in the Federal Emergency Management/National Flood Insurance Program community rating through larger contiguous preserves.

Next steps: Staff will submit the county’s formal letter of commitment to Florida Forever and coordinate with county finance and legal teams to determine match details if the project advances in the state review cycle.