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.
Manatee County Code of Ordinances / Chapter 2-25 - Planning & Development / Article IV. - Acquisition, Protection and Management of Environmental Lands
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 be made up of fifteen (15) members.
- A member from the Florida Engineering Society
- A member schooled in a natural science: ecology, biology, botany, etc.
- A member with background or education in active outdoor sports
- A member of a local environmental group
- A member recommended by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce
- Two (2) year-round residents of Manatee County, one (1) of whom shall be a resident of one (1) of the communities on Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key
- An employee of the Manatee County School Board
- A member with background/education in banking, finance, or real estate
- A member engaged in the agricultural business of farming, ranching or commercial horticulture
- A member who represents Keep Manatee Beautiful, Inc.
- Four (4) at-large members who are residents of Manatee County
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.