Cattle, Conservation, Water, and Wildlife.

Lost Girl Prairie Ranch is located in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The entire 1,300-acre ranch is protected under a conservation easement, ensuring it will never be developed. It is home to one of the largest marsh areas in the region, providing a vital habitat for wading birds, alligators, deer, eagles, and migratory ducks.

The ranch also features a resident cattle herd managed with cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, GPS, and cellular collars on each cow. This system allows remote monitoring and management of the herd, including identifying health issues and directing movements. The ranch uses this technology for rotational grazing through marshlands and creating “virtual fences” anywhere on the property.

Innovative Leadership and Vision
Lost Girl Prairie is owned by Julie Morris, a respected Florida wildlife biologist and conservationist, her husband Jim Strickland, a rancher, and their daughters Ayla and Sabal. Together, they combine conservation with innovative ranching practices, ensuring the land remains both productive and ecologically balanced.

The Story Behind the Name
The ranch’s name, Lost Girl Prairie, is inspired by I Take This Land by Richard Powell. The book, set in Southwest Florida between 1895 and 1946, chronicles the region’s history of hurricanes, land booms, agriculture, and wildlife. It tells the story of Lost Girl Swamp, once a thriving natural habitat, which became a victim of plume hunting, alligator harvesting, and farming before being drained.

Two generations later, the ranch seeks to restore this landscape as a thriving natural area. Echoing the book’s poignant conclusion—where wildlife returns to the land—Lost Girl Prairie embodies the spirit of ecological restoration and stewardship.

Looking Ahead
Julie, Jim, Ayla, and Sabal are dedicated to the next chapter of Lost Girl Prairie’s legacy, ensuring its continued role as a sanctuary for wildlife and a model for sustainable ranching in Florida.