Purpose
Established by the County Commission in 1993, ELMAC's general purpose is to advise the Commission on matters related to environmental land acquisition and management, and recreational planning and programming for acquired lands, and to serve as the Tree Advisory Board to promote awareness of the County-wide tree canopy and tree education programs.
Specific tasks include:
- Identifying and evaluating undeveloped land adjacent to bays, rivers, lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, etc. for acquisition as public passive recreation areas.
- Developing a county-wide inventory of environmentally sensitive lands.
- Devising a methodology by which a priority ranking may be assigned to the County's environmentally sensitive lands for the purpose of acquisition.
- Researching and evaluating potential acquisition funding mechanisms.
- Assisting staff in developing management plans for lands that the County has acquired/is planning to acquire.
- Assisting in lobbying efforts at the State level to secure sources of State funding for environmental land purchases and planning.
- Researching other jurisdiction's environmental lands acquisition and management programs.
- Serving as the Tree Advisory Board.
Ordinance 03-62 (PDF)
Work Plan serving as Tree Advisory Board
- Submit Tree City USA application.
- Coordinate future Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation with County departments.
- Work with Keep Manatee Beautiful in their Adopt-A-Spot Program where private sector donates trees and maintains donated trees.
- Conduct County-wide Tree Canopy Analysis using grant applied for by Keep Manatee Beautiful.
Membership Requirements
The Committee will consist of fifteen (15) members, from the following groups or affiliations:
- One member from the Florida Engineering Society
- Two members schooled in a natural science: ecology, biology, botany, etc.
- One member with background or education in active outdoor sports
- One member from a local environmental group (general environmental activism)
- One member of the Chamber of Commerce's Environmental Committee
- Six year round residents of Manatee County
- One representative/employee of the School Board
- One member with background/education in banking, finance or real estate
- One representative from the agricultural community
- Terms of service shall be for one (1) year
Application
The Advisory Board application must be submitted for the applicant to be considered for appointment. The application is available for downloading on the Apply for an Advisory Board page.
For more information contact Charlie Hunsicker, Director, Parks and Natural Resources, at (941) 742-5923 or email charlie.hunsicker@mymanatee.org.
Meetings
Bimonthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the odd numbered month at 6:00 p.m., usually in the Patricia M. Glass Commissioner Chambers located on the first floor of the Manatee County Administration Center, 1112 Manatee Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34205. On occasion, the meeting location may be different and if it is, the location will be reflected in the online County WebCalendar.
A majority of currently-appointed ELMAC Committee members will constitute a quorum and must be present in order to conduct official Committee (ELMAC) business.