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Siesta Key Conservation Area

In early 2008 Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast was extremely fortunate to receive a fee simple donation of .26 acres of land and .94 acres of accreted land on Siesta Key in Sarasota County. The Siesta Key Conservation Area is located approximately 300 feet north of Siesta Key Public Beach. This property extends westerly from a platted 20 foot public right of way, which parallels Beach Road, to the mean high water line of the Gulf of Mexico. The .26 acres are an active coastal dune with sand substrate containing sea oats (Uniola paniculata), salt spray tolerant grasses, sea myrtles (Baccharis halimifolia), seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), and an indian tree spurge or pencil tree (Euphorbia tirucalli). The accreted .94 acres are sand substrate with little or no vegetation.

The conservation area provides important habitat for several plant species, numerous wading and shore birds, nesting for sea turtles, a rabbit population and a unique environment for outdoor recreation. The primary land management goal is to protect the biodiversity, the quality and natural functions of the land and water systems, protect in perpetuity all of the native ecosystems, remove invasive species and to manage this system to be compatible with contiguous properties.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is thrilled to announce the birth of three Snowy Plover chicks on our Siesta Key Preserve. Snowy Plovers are listed as an imperiled species by the State of Florida and are protected.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast has partnered with the Audubon Society to assist in the protection of important nesting habitat of the Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). Informational signs have been posted adjacent to their nests on our property. Snowy Plovers are solitary nesters and blend in with their surroundings. It is important that the public not enter the posted areas and look out for the tiny chicks.

Young Snowy Plovers leave their nest within three hours of hatching. They flatten themselves on the ground when a parent signals the approach of people or potential predators. They walk, run, and swim well and forage unassisted by parents, but require periodic brooding for many days after hatching.

Snowy Plovers can be found across North and South America, Eurasia, and Africa. In North America it is restricted to the Gulf and Pacific coasts of the United States, and scattered inland localities from Saskatchewan to California and Texas. We are fortunate that Sarasota County beaches are important wintering and stopover grounds for many migratory species. Our shorebirds are an important part of our coastal ecosystem and are a sign of a healthy beach.
 

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is proud to be doing its part to protect the nesting habitat of the endangered Snowy Plover. 
 

"protecting our bays, beaches and barrier islands"