Here are some places where you can see the indigenous vegetation of the islands. Some are public parks and preserves or grounds of public buildings. Others are private residences viewable only here or from the street.

1 •  
Anna Maria Maritime Forest Native Preserve ~ Aerial and Photos
Island Players Theater and Anna Maria City Hall Grounds
10005 Gulf Drive, City of Anna Maria

The land between the Gulf and Bay shores is by nature a maritime forest. Over 90% of the vegetation on these grounds is native to that plant community.

2 •  
Anna Maria Mangrove Shore Native Preserve ~ Aerial and Photos
Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Historical Park
402 Pine Avenue, City of Anna Maria

Here, the maritime forest abuts a canal. Its banks are lined with the various mangroves and saline marsh plants that thrive in spite of occasional floodings with brackish water.

3 •  
All Native Dunescape Restoration ~ Aerial and Photos
Grounds of a Private Residence
Bean Point, City of Anna Maria

A 600 ft deep dunefield was stripped of all the pestilent plants and trees and replanted with a broad palette of vegetation native to this very spot. The residence yards are also 100% native to this location. [Viewable online only, or contact me below for a showing by appointment]

4 •  
Anna Maria Bay Shore Native Preserve ~ Aerial and Photos
Bay Shoreline Flanking the City Pier
East End of Pine Avenue, City of Anna Maria

Comparisons of this Preserve with the Beach Dune Preserve reveals the difference between Bay side and Gulf side conditions and vegetation.

5 •  
Anna Maria Beach Dune Native Preserve ~ Aerial only
Gulf Front Park
Dunefields Between Palm and Oak Avenues, City of Anna Maria

This stretch of natural dunefields behind the frontline Sea oat stands also contains a patch of very old and magnificent Buttonwoods.

6 •  
Leffis Key Habitat Preserve ~ Aerial only
Bayshore Preserve at Manatee County's Public Coquina Beach
South Tip of Anna Maria Island

This knolled island has been connected to the bayside shore of Coquina Beach at the south end of Anna Maria Island and restored to be a native habitat comprising both a coastal upland and saline wetlands.

7 •  
Joan M. Durante Park ~ Aerial and Site Map
Bayside Park and Wetlands
5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive, City of Longboat Key

The park is a large wetland restoration project in the middle of Longboat Key with many paths and boardwalks over the marshes and through the mangroves.