Sarasota County has purchased two parcels of environmentally sensitive land that will remain forever wild.

The northern parcel is the 1,970 acre Gum Slough, near the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch at the county line separating Manatee and Sarasota Counties. The parcel cost $7 million. The southern parcel is 3,550 acres in the Deer Prairie Creek area, along the Myakka River, just north of Warm Mineral Springs. The $16 million cost will be split between the county and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWIFTMUD).

These lands provide vital nesting and foraging habitat for wading and other birds. Larger mammals, including Florida panther and black bear may find the land hospitable, as each parcel is part of a larger habitat of connected lands.

The county plans to build hiking trails on both parcels. The southern parcel will help protect the Myakka River, and consists mostly of wetlands and swamp. The two parcels bring the county's protected land to 14,000 acres.

Purchases were aided by the Florida Forever Trust Fund, which provided $8 million used by SWIFTMUD. The county's $15 million came from a 1999 property tax referendum.