Palmetto Estuary Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palmetto Estuary Preserve |
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| Palmetto Estuary Park, Palmetto Estuary Preservation Project | |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Palmetto Estuary Preserve
Location in Florida
Palmetto Estuary Preserve
Location in the United States
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| Location | Palmetto, Florida |
| Area | 20 acres (0.081 km2) |
| Established | 1998 |
| Governing body | Palmetto, Florida |
The Palmetto Estuary Preserve (also called Palmetto Estuary Park) is a special natural area in Palmetto, Florida. It covers about 20 acres (0.081 km2). This preserve is right next to the Manatee River and just north of the Hernando de Soto Bridge. It's a great place to explore nature!
What is the Palmetto Estuary Preserve?
The City of Palmetto got the land for this preserve in the 1990s. They traded another piece of land to get it. This trade helped build a place called Riviera Dunes.
Bringing Nature Back to Life
After the city got the land, a group called Ecosphere Restoration Institute helped make the area healthy again. This group is a nonprofit organization, which means they work for a good cause and don't try to make money for themselves. They are based in Tampa.
This project was very special. It was the first time that a government group and a private group worked together to bring nature back in the Tampa Bay area. Because of this great work, the project won an award in 2002. The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council named it the Environmental Project of the Year.
Solar Power at the Preserve
In 2016, something new was added to the preserve. A large solar canopy was built in the northern parking lot. A solar canopy is like a roof covered with solar panels. These panels use sunlight to create electricity.
This solar project was a team effort. Florida Power & Light worked together with the City of Palmetto to build it. This shows how the preserve is not only about nature but also about using clean energy.
