Jelks Preserve

Jelks Preserve is a 614-acre (248 ha) natural preserve with 8 miles (13 km) of trail along the Myakka River in southern Sarasota County, Florida.

Jelks Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Map showing location of preserve within Florida
Location	Sarasota County, Florida
Coordinates	27.0915°N 82.33784°W / 27.0915; -82.33784
Area	614 acres (2.48 km2)
Established	1999 (1999)
Owner	Sarasota County

History

The land was purchased in 1999 via the one percent county sales tax and a donation from the Jelks Family Foundation (namesake for the preserve). The habitat is riverine floodplain and includes live oak with epiphytes as well as Carolina jessamine and coralbean wildflowers. Wildlife include gopher tortoises, swallowtail butterflies, swallow-tailed kites, and song birds.^[1][2]

References

1. "Birds of Jelks Preserve" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
2. "Jelks Preserve Brochure". Sarasota County Government. Retrieved September 27, 2021.