Photos © 2026 Miri Hardy - All rights reserved
Sarasota County's Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to add Hawkins Ranch to the county's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program’s Priority List as a new priority site. The Hawkins Ranch serves as a critical buffer protecting Myakka River State Park’s Wilderness Preserve and the Myakka River from rapidly approaching development.
As compellingly outlined in the staff report, protecting Hawkins Ranch will positively impact Sarasota County’s natural and human communities as well as their resilience in general, and the Myakka River System's Remarkable Values and Water Quality specifically.
“I think it's a no-brainer for us” said Commissioner Tom Knight. "This is a huge win for Sarasota County" added Commissioner Joe Neunder.
For over 50 years now, preserving the Myakka River has been a top priority for Sarasota County. Thanks in a large part to the county's meaningful long-term commitment to the river, the 34 miles of the Myakka River in Sarasota County were recently deemed by the National Park Service as both eligible and suitable for inclusion in their Partnership Wild and Scenic River Program.
To that end, once enacted, Congressman Greg Steube’s H.R. 642 Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025 will ensure the Myakka River in Sarasota County remains a natural treasure for generations, further empowering our community to protect and enhance the river's outstanding values, its water quality and free-flowing nature.
"I’m thankful to the Board for their continued commitment to protecting and enhancing the Myakka River." said Myakka River Partnership Founder Miri Hardy, who commented at the meeting in support of staff's recommendation. "And I’m beyond grateful to the Hawkins Family for their desire to protect their land, their way of life and the amazing river we all love."