Friends of the Carlton Reserve 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway Venice, FL 34292

Carlton Reserve reopened in October.

Some map sites erroneously list the Carlton Reserve as "temporarily closed."

Blooming in the Reserve now:

Photos by Sherm

Despite closures due to COVID, wildfire, flooding, and a month-long manhunt, the Carlton Reserve's priceless serenity is a sanctuary, reminding us of nature's ability to renew itself and us.

Click on picture or here to view 4 minute video using trail cam captures.

Excellent video on Alligators

Sarasota County Play on FaceBook

filmed in the Carlton Reserve

https://fb.watch/7jDfm7ZjgG/

Amazing half hour video

captured by Jacob Klasinski documents not only the dynamic Carlton Reserve environment as it transitions from drought to flood, but also its rich biodiversity of wildlife and habitats: coyotes, owls, bobcats, alligators, herons, egrets, hogs, deer, otter, vultures, raccoons--even crayfish and fish! Click on video

    Resilience and Rejuvenation at The Carlton Reserve

    Photos by Jean-Louis Dumaine on reopening day, one month after Memorial Day fire.

"Queen of the Marsh"

new trail camera video

alligator and other wildlife from the Carlton Reserve

by Jacob Klasinski

More great trail camera video

from the Carlton Reserve and Big Slough

by Jacob Klasinski

Click on photo

New trail camera video footage

from Jacob Klasinski

Carlton Reserve Wildlife:

coyotes, deer, turkey, bobcat, feral hogs, etc.

Click here or on photo

The first blue flag irises and other early spring wildflowers

A photo gallery

by Jean-Louis Dumaine

"You are here" map kiosks (12) have been installed in the Carlton Reserve to assist trail users along 100 miles of trails crisscross 38 sq. miles.

12 UV resistant signs were designed by Debbie Blanco (retired 10/30/20), funded by Friends of the Carlton, printed by H&H Signs, and installed today by Russ Johnson and Art Smith.

Trail Camera Video

Friends of the Carlton Reserve

Trail camera team: Donna Day, Ernie Winn, Martin Siesta funded by Friends of the Carlton Reserve

Click on picture or here for video

Carlton Reserve Update

1. Volunteers in the Save Our Native Florida Bromeliads Program relocated a fourth cage in which to sequester select plants to protect them from an invasive Mexican weevil until they can produce seeds.

2. Ten wildlife monitoring trail cameras remain in service 24/7. Since 2001, over 14,000 images of animals have been entered into a database. Click here to view gallery

3. Sarasota, the name given to a swallow tail kite from the Carlton, was outfitted with a satellite tracking device and departed for Brazil in August and returned to the Reserve in March.

4. New YOU ARE HERE maps are being readied to assist bikers, hikers and riders. They will be located at key locations as soon as conditions permit placement.

5. Volunteers and Friends who contributed during the Patterson Giving Challenge earned the Friends of the Carlton an extra $675.

MacroPhotography Gallery

by Randy Stapleton

Who knew?

The lowly palmetto (serenoa repens) may be as much as 10,000 years old!

Click here to read Florida Native Plant Society "Palmettos" issue

See what's coming to a park near you soon. Preview of coming attractions:

Sarasota County Parks Master Plan (download)

PETS

T. Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve, protects Sarasota County's water supply and habitat for wildlife. It does not permit pets. Pets are permitted elsewhere on leash in 71 parklands and off leash in 5 others. Click Here for list.

E.O. Wilson explains why parks and nature are really good for your brain: Washington Post

So when the Washington Post asked Wilson what he thought about the mechanism by which these environments relax, rejuvenate and restore people. His answer was simple but pretty sweeping at the same time.

“Instinctively, without understanding what’s happening, they know that in certain wild environments, they have come home.”

Click here for latest additions to

The Florida Field Journal

by Darryl Saffer

Video of Leucistic (half white) Buck in Carlton Reserve.

Darryl Saffer video news:

The Evil Weevil part 3 now airing on the Education Channel, You Tube

Wildlife Photography: second in a web series on You Tube.

Notebook sketch of Oscar Scherer State Park: Florida Field Journal

"Not Long Ago," a FL Field Journal video is being screened Feb. 14, 2016 in Gainesville: Cinema Verde Environmental Film Festival: schedule

Darryl Saffer has given voice to one of our own-- Grandmother Oak located in the Carlton Reserve

CLICK HERE

Darryl Saffer video essay on MRSP

Not Long Ago

Dr. Mary Jelks on Myakka River State Park

oral history project Slideshow

Evil, The Weevil! part 2

Mexican invasive insect threatens bromeliads

see Darryl Saffer's latest FL Field Journal filmed in the Carlton Reserve

Starring Donna Day, Dr. Theresa Cooper and Mike Owen, click here

Photo by Darryl Saffer: Hummingbird Clearwing

You never know what's waiting for you in the forest. . .Check this out

Carlton Reserve featured in Harbor Style magazine: Seeking Serenity p. 78-88

(Excellent article overall but here are some corrections/clarifications)

Need a natural escape vacation? check out Florida's Coastal Dune Lakes

Teaching Cats To Dog Paddle? or Crossing the Caloosahatchee

We are a 501(C)3 community support organization whose mission is to support the parks and natural lands of Sarasota County, Florida.

With 24,565 acres on the state protected "wild and scenic" Myakka River, the Carlton Reserve has over 90 miles of trails and nearly 40 square miles for wilderness recreation: