Longino Ranch Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Phases I, II and III

Longino Ranch, Inc. was looking for options to both maximize profits on their property that would also benefit the natural environment and recreational goals.  Through our relationship with Longino Ranch over the last 10 years, DRMP assisted the Ranch in establishing a gopher tortoise relocation site on their property.

DRMP established a 2,171-acre area as a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) long-term protected gopher tortoise recipient site with 827.58-acres of suitable gopher tortoise habitat (Phases I, II and III).  This recipient site was permitted to accept 1,230 gopher tortoises from the development site within 100-miles north or south of the property.  Following the establishment of the recipient site, DRMP represents the Longino Ranch Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site as the FWC-permitted Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent for the permit, ensuring that the recipient site stays in compliance with all permit requirements, such as preparing and submitting triennial monitoring reports to the FFWCC.  The Longino Ranch spreads across 8,000-acres in eastern Sarasota County, Florida and is situated between SR 72 to the north and annexed lands of the City of North Port to the south.

This relocation site provides a permanently safe location to transport tortoises from areas where they might be impacted as far north as Orlando and as far south as Miami. For these types of sites, the client can receive financial benefit by protecting natural land and ensuring the longevity of this keystone species in the region.