Pinelands Reserve
4000 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis

This 6,151-acre reserve was purchased in 1985 to provide adequate buffers for surrounding lands, to allow for the construction of the Central County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, to provide suitable areas for mitigation, and to protect native habitats.

While touring the reserve visitors can expect to see diverse vegetation communities, including pine flatwoods, upland mixed forests, lakes and seasonal wetlands. Visitors can also observe gopher tortoises, bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, and an assortment of song and wading birds.

Access to the Pinelands Reserve is currently limited to the paved road that circles the landfill footprint. Due to long term mitigation and construction projects, access to the surrounding land is not permitted without requesting private, guided group walks. A radio control aircraft field also exists on-site, for more information visit R/C Fliers of Venice.

All visitors to the reserve are required to check in at the administration building which is located on the right hand side when entering the landfill complex. Upon check-in, visitors will receive a bird/wildlife list and a map for the site. Check-in is required Monday thru Friday only.

The birds of the Pinelands Reserve

Reserve hours are:

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. year round
The reserve is closed on Sundays, Independence Day, New Year’s Day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas.

To receive more information on group tours of the landfill and private, guided nature walks,
call 941-861-5000 and ask for Natural Resources.