Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge

Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
View from I-275
Location	St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
Nearest city	St. Petersburg, Florida
Coordinates	27°39′59″N 82°41′34″W
Area	394 acres (1.59 km2)
Established	1951
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge

The Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System, located offshore from mainland St. Petersburg, Florida, and only accessible by boat. The 394-acre (1.59 km²) refuge was established in 1951, to act as a breeding ground for colonial bird species. Islands within the refuge include Indian, Tarpon, Mule, and Jackass Keys, and all are within the St. Petersburg city limits.

Management

The Pinellas NWR is one of the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges', along with Passage Key NWR and Egmont Key NWR. Previously administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the three Tampa Bay refuges, the Chassahowitzka NWR, and the Crystal River NWR have been administered by the Crystal River Complex, headquartered in Crystal River, Florida since 2012.

Fauna

Brown pelicans, herons, egrets, cormorants and many other species nest on the islands. Tarpon Key has the largest brown pelican rookery in the state.

Access

The NWR is closed to public use, for the protection of natural and cultural resources.

External links

• National Wildlife Refuge