Whether it is the nearby Neal, Perico, Robinson, Riverview Point, or Emerson Point preserves, or the largest preserves in Manatee county, including the Duette Preserve, Manatee County has got nature in store for you. Here's the Manatee County Preserves Google Map.
Photo: Robinson Preserve
Neal Preserve’s 120 acres include both coastal habitats, such as mangrove forests and salt terns, as well as pockets of oak hammock uplands. Acquired in 2005, the site features passive outdoor recreation opportunities including a 20 foot tall observation tower, shell trails, and boardwalks that wind through the coastal environment.
Manatee County Environmental Specialists worked hard to establish the 176 acre property, designing a site that would appeal to a highly diverse variety of wildlife and plant species. Featured at this site are the coastal wetlands expected in this area as well as carefully planned scrub hills and upland areas that hearken back to historical coastal Manatee County.
Riverview Pointe Preserve is an 11-acre site located in northwest Bradenton, Florida. The site is adjacent to the DeSoto National Memorial.
This 487-acre preserve has undergone an incredible transformation from disturbed farmland to coastal and wetland habitats. Robinson Preserve features numerous recreational opportunities for the community. Resources for low-impact environmental activities include hiking and biking trails and a canoe/kayak launch. Additional amenities include observation towers and platforms, picnic areas, and a visitors center.
Also check out the Robinson Tower Cam Live Feed
In the News: Robinson Preserve gets boost from oil spill money
Emerson Point Preserve is a 365 acre preserve located at the tip of Snead Island in western Palmetto. At Emerson Point, visitors can take in the beauty of Florida's wildlife and native plant communities while exploring both prehistoric and historic sites.
Further south-east Bradenton, close to the Sarasota county border, you'll find Jiggs Landing. Jigg's Landing on the Ever's Reservoir offers freshwater fishing and canoeing opportunities on the Evers Reservoir and Braden River. The property was purchased in 1944 by Al (Jiggs) and Agnes Metcalf and included a 7-acre piece of property. Their dream was to create a fish camp on the banks of the Braden River and they did so, creating a landmark that served Manatee County for more than 40 years.
Even further east in Manatee county (east of 75) are the Duette, Headwaters at Duette, Rye and Moody Branch Preserves.
At over 21,000 acres, the Duette Preserve is the largest Preserve in the County system. It is located in the eastern part of the County and contains the headwaters of Manatee River.
The Headwaters is a 2,344 acre preserve located north of State Road 62. This property was purchased by Manatee County in 1995 through a grant provided by the Florida Communities Trust, Florida Forever program. The Headwaters is open dawn to dusk for walkers, hikers and equestrians.
Experience a slice of old Florida at the Rye Preserve. You don't have to travel far, Rye Preserve is closer than you think. This 145 acre property located just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam.
Moody Branch, a 960 acre site, was purchased by Manatee County in 2004 in a cooperative effort with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) thru a grant under the Florida Forever Program of the Florida Communities Trust.