FISH Preserve
Phase 1
In 2000, FISH and community members came together in a grassroots effort to raise the money to purchase 95 acres of land immediately adjacent to the village of Cortez. This parcel of land is now referred to as the “FISH Preserve” and it is one of the only untouched waterfront properties on Sarasota Bay. This habitat supports one of the last true working waterfronts in the state of Florida. The FISH Preserve came close to getting paved over by developers, however, the community came together to purchase the property in the nick of time. FISH is happy to announce that this initial land purchase has been paid off!
Phase 2 & 3
Since 2005, FISH has been able to purchase several additional parcels of land within the FISH Preserve’s boundaries to preserve even more coastal habitat. The map to the right shows shaded areas of the preserve that remained in private hands when the larger 95 acre “Schewe” property was purchased back in 2000. Since 2005 the properties labeled ‘Wilkerson’, ‘Kirsch’ and ‘Middendorf’ have been added to the FISH Preserve. The other shaded areas that appear to be paths are rights of way that have been “vacated”. These additional land purchases are still being paid off, and is one more reason why your support is so important.
Phase 4
2023 marked the beginning of phase 4 restoration efforts in the FISH Preserve. With support from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, FISH has begun its final phase of restoration on the east end of the Preserve, including removal of the exotic Brazilian pepper and Australian pine, and the addition of waterways to better connect flow to the Bay and restore aquatic habitats. Restoration of the FISH Preserve has been a decades long group effort between FISH, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Southwest Florida Water Management District – as well as our many dedicated volunteers and partners. The official ribbon cutting ceremony is expected to take place before the end of 2023.
Why It Matters
For hundreds of years, this land has survived as an important fisheries habitat for the section of Sarasota Bay south of Cortez fondly referred to as the “Cortez Kitchen.” It was here the locals could find a bounty of fresh seafood to feed their families and trade with their farmer neighbors when times were economically lean. The property was sold in the 1950s and was long slated for development. In later decades, the property was sadly used as a dumping site for construction debris. Now, FISH is working on the continued conservation and restoration of the FISH Preserve – which one day will include walking trails, educational signage, and scenic lookouts so all can enjoy this beautiful natural habitat.
How Its Funded
Funds for the first $60,000 mortgage payment on the land were raised from donations made by ordinary citizens and conservation minded companies. A succession of annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festivals, held every February, and donations from our more than 700 members and host of friends all over the country enabled FISH to pay off the original mortgage in 2005. No Federal or State funds were used in the effort. With such a strong financial base and the anticipated community support, the project goal became a reality.
Restoration of this property to its natural state costs money, and several organizations have provided funding for habitat restoration in the FISH Preserve. A major grant was provided by the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) which has led to the creation of a new tidal stream system in the southeastern corner of the FISH Preserve.
The SARP grant allowed for the creation of new wetlands areas and initial exotic and invasive plant removal in uplands areas of the property. Replanting native species was primarily a volunteer effort with participation from the Manateens and Baybuddies organization of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. Additional work was carried out by the corporate headquarters staff of Bonefish Grill and Outback Restaurants who provided funding for the building of walking bridges that are included in the FISH Preserve’s overall trail system.
The SARP project provided valuable information in the educational process that has been underway to prepare the volunteer crew and staff for long term stewardship of the FISH Preserve once habitat restoration is complete.
Current Projects
Native Plants
We work with our partners to remove exotic and invasive plants and to replace them with native flora to increase the ecosystem function and capacity of the FISH Preserve. Replacing is primarily a volunteer effort and we are thankful to the Manateens, Baybuddies, Boy Scouts, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Florida Sea Grant and Manatee County Government for their efforts.
Walk the Preserve
We are working to create a preserve that is accessible to everyone. A walking trail, educational signage, and scenic lookouts are part of our long-term vision. Anyone is welcome to visit the FISH Preserve and explore our work in progress! You can check out the FISH Preserve anytime. Park at the Florida Maritime Museum, the Cortez Cultural Center, or at our BoatWorks and take a peek at our work in progress!
What We Do
Multiple grants have allowed for the restoration of upland habitats, and the creation of new wetlands areas. Our volunteers continue the fight to remove exotic and invasive plants. We have restored the natural flow of water from Sarasota Bay and increased the density of mangroves throughout the FISH Preserve.