Deer on Golf Course 2025 · Photo by Perry · Zone E - Aqua Range / Holes 1 & 18
Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club
Natural Assets
A complex ecosystem of lakes, wetlands and forested preserves that host a variety of wildlife — managed to balance aesthetic beauty and health.
Explore the Wildlife
Welcome to Our Living Preserve
The quiet beauty of our Audubon-certified landscape is home to sandhill cranes, roseate spoonbills, deer, alligators and more. Explore what your neighbors have spotted — and add your own sightings.
Healthy Lakes
Restoring ecologically stable lakes through the Buffer Zone, Littoral Zone and water-quality programs.
Explore the Initiative
Wildlife Gallery
Member-submitted photos from around the property — 27 photos across 5 categories.
Browse the Gallery
Wildlife Articles
Monthly features on the species that call Heritage Oaks home — straight from the club newsletter.
Read the Articles
Wildlife of the Month · May 2026
Deer
White-tailed deer are common throughout Florida, with an estimated population of 550,000 to 700,000. Each month we feature one of the species that call Heritage Oaks home in the club newsletter.
Read This Month's ArticleSince 2021
The Healthy Lakes Initiative
Patterned after the University of Florida’s Healthy Pond Collaborative, our Initiative restores our aging lakes to ecologically stable ecosystems — sustainable, chemical-reduced, and attractive to shorebirds and flowering vegetation. 24 communication briefs keep members fully informed.
View All 24 Briefs
25
Lakes under stewardship
10
Wildlife zones, A–J
$34K
In outside grants secured
Follow the Wildlife of Heritage Oaks
New member photos, monthly wildlife features, and Healthy Lakes updates from around the property.
Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club · Sarasota, FL
A living preserve of lakes, wetlands & wildlife
Heritage Oaks is a complex ecosystem of lakes, wetlands and forested preserves that host a variety of wildlife. Our goal is to manage this environment and balance its aesthetic beauty and health.
Deer on Golf Course 2025
Photo by Perry · Zone E - Aqua Range / Holes 1 & 18
Photo by Perry · Zone E - Aqua Range / Holes 1 & 18
25
Lakes under stewardship
10
Wildlife zones, A–J
$34K
In outside grants secured
Explore our natural assets
Natural Assets Committee
Initiative
Healthy Lakes
Restoring ecologically stable lake ecosystems through the Buffer Zone, Littoral Zone, and water-quality programs.
View the initiative
Gallery
Wildlife
Member-submitted photos from around the property — browse the gallery and discover the species that call Heritage Oaks home.
Explore wildlife
Monthly feature
Wildlife Articles
A featured species every month — the stories behind the wildlife around Heritage Oaks.
Read the articlesWildlife of the Month · May 2026
Deer
White-tailed deer are common throughout Florida, with an estimated population of 550,000 to 700,000.
From the members
Latest from the gallery
Hitchhiking on an alligator · Photo by Sue Malley
Young Osprey
Sandhill Cranes with Chicks
Roseate Spoonbill 2025
Stag at Heritage Oaks
Tilapia · Photo by Bob Lusk