Natural Resources

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Preserves are open but trail access may be limited  

As Manatee County Preserves and Conservation Lands reopen after the storm, some trails may be closed while we work to restore them. Please respect all posted trail signage.

Leffis Key Preserve will remain closed until further notice. 

We take great pride in offering a vast array of programs and activities throughout Manatee County, which promote our mission of health for the community and environment.

Manatee County's Preserves

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar
27Feb
Green Explorers: All Leaves Great and Small
10:00AM - 12:00PMConservatory Park
27Feb
Nature Night at the NEST: Cuban Ranchos
6:00PM - 7:00PMRobinson Preserve
28Feb
Nature Tales: Wild Wetlands
10:00AM - 11:00AMConservatory Park
28Feb
Homeschool BioLab: Bioindicators
1:00PM - 3:00PMEmerson Point Preserve
01Mar
Duette Wagon Tour: Spring Wildflowers at Duette Preserve
8:30AM - 12:00PMDuette Preserve
01Mar
Saturday Mornings at the NEST at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
01Mar
Youth Archery Session 1 at Rye Preserve
9:00AM - 10:00AMRye Preserve
01Mar
Youth Archery Session 2 at Rye Preserve
10:00AM - 11:00AMRye Preserve
05Mar
Manatee Audubon Society Birding Tour: Emerson Point at Emerson Point Preserve
8:00AM - 10:00AMEmerson Point Preserve
05Mar
Tortoise Talk at Robinson Preserve
10:00AM - 11:00AMRobinson Preserve
05Mar
Soar in 4 Family Night at The Bishop Museum
5:30PM - 7:00PMThe Bishop Museum
06Mar
Adult Leisure Learning: Florida's Flora and Fauna - Seashells at Rocky Bluff Library
11:00AM - 12:00PMRocky Bluff Library
07Mar
Oyster Shell Drilling for Vertical Oyster Gardens and Oyster Anchors at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
07Mar
Library Learning: Seashells at Island Library
2:00PM - 3:00PMIsland Library
07Mar
Movie Under the Stars: The Swamp at Robinson Preserve
6:45PM - 8:45PMRobinson Preserve
08Mar
Saturday Mornings at the NEST at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
08Mar
Cortez Nautical Flea Market at Florida Maritime Museum
9:00AM - 1:00PMFlorida Maritime Museum
08Mar
Starry Night Astronomy at Robinson Preserve
7:00PM - 9:00PMRobinson Preserve
10Mar
Sunset Tai Chi at the NEST at Robinson Preserve
6:30PM - 7:30PMRobinson Preserve
11Mar
Homeschool Science Club: Turtle Talk at Conservatory Park
10:00AM - 12:00PMConservatory Park
12Mar
Archaeo Paddle at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
12Mar
Tortoise Talk at Robinson Preserve
10:00AM - 11:00AMRobinson Preserve
12Mar
Quill to Ink Calligraphy Workshop at Robinson Preserve
10:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
13Mar
Indigenous Heritage Tour at Neal Preserve
9:00AM - 10:00AMNeal Preserve
13Mar
TreeTots: Animal Movement at Robinson Preserve
10:00AM - 11:00AMRobinson Preserve
13Mar
Adult Leisure Learning: Florida's Flora and Fauna - Air Plants at Rocky Bluff Library
11:00AM - 12:00PMRocky Bluff Library
13Mar
Volunteens at Emerson Point Preserve
3:30PM - 5:00PMEmerson Point Preserve
14Mar
Indigenous Heritage Tour at Emerson Point Preserve
10:00AM - 11:00AMEmerson Point Preserve
14Mar
Crooked River Full Moon Paddle at Crooked River Preserve
7:00PM - 9:00PMCrooked River Preserve
15Mar
Saturday Mornings at the NEST at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
18Mar
Seashell Shore Walk at Coquina Beach South
9:00AM - 10:30AMCoquina Beach South
18Mar
FrogWatch Public: Perico Preserve at Perico Preserve
7:30PM - 8:30PMPerico Preserve
19Mar
Tortoise Talk at Robinson Preserve
10:00AM - 11:00AMRobinson Preserve
20Mar
Adult Leisure Learning: Florida's Flora and Fauna - Fossils at Rocky Bluff Library
11:00AM - 12:00PMRocky Bluff Library
20Mar
Homeschool Science Club: Mollusk Mania at Rye Preserve
1:00PM - 3:00PMRye Preserve
20Mar
FrogWatch Public: Emerson Point Preserve at Emerson Point Preserve
7:30PM - 8:30PMEmerson Point Preserve
21Mar
Wildlife Spotlight: Epiphytes at Emerson Point Preserve
9:00AM - 10:30AMEmerson Point Preserve
21Mar
Homeschool Science Club: Mollusk Mania at Emerson Point Preserve
1:00PM - 3:00PMEmerson Point Preserve
21Mar
Robinson Preserve Twilight 5K/10K Race at Robinson Preserve
6:00PM - 8:00PMRobinson Preserve
22Mar
Saturday Mornings at the NEST at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
27Mar
Green Explorers: Salty Shenanigans at Emerson Point Preserve
10:00AM - 12:00PMEmerson Point Preserve
27Mar
Adult Leisure Learning: Florida's Flora and Fauna - Gopher Tortoises at Rocky Bluff Library
11:00AM - 12:00PMRocky Bluff Library
27Mar
Nature Night at the NEST: Carnivorous Plants at Robinson Preserve
6:00PM - 7:00PMRobinson Preserve
28Mar
Nature Tales: Woman in Science Eugenie Clark at Conservatory Park
10:00AM - 11:00AMConservatory Park
28Mar
Homeschool BioLab: Rocket Science at Emerson Point Preserve
1:00PM - 3:00PMEmerson Point Preserve
29Mar
Saturday Mornings at the NEST at Robinson Preserve
9:00AM - 12:00PMRobinson Preserve
29Mar
Hike with a Librarian: Session 1 at Conservatory Park
10:00AM - 11:30AMConservatory Park
29Mar
Hike with a Librarian: Session 2 at Conservatory Park
1:00PM - 2:30PMConservatory Park
05Apr
NEST Reserved (Tentative)
All Day

Artificial Reefs

Manatee County has been involved in reef construction since the late 1960’s and currently has 13 artificial reefs. Explore the Manatee County Artificial Reef Atlas to see photos, videos, and maps of our reefs.

Learn More