| Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
View fromI-275 | |
| Location | St. Petersburg,Florida,United States |
| Nearest city | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°39′59″N82°41′34″W / 27.66631°N 82.69289°W /27.66631; -82.69289 |
| Area | 394 acres (1.59 km2) |
| Established | 1951 |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge |
ThePinellas National Wildlife Refuge is part of theUnited StatesNational Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System, located offshore from mainlandSt. 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 theSt. Petersburg city limits.
ThePinellas NWR is one of the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges', along withPassage Key NWR andEgmont Key NWR. Previously administered as a part of theChassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the three Tampa Bay refuges, theChassahowitzka NWR, and theCrystal River NWR have been administered by theCrystal River Complex, headquartered inCrystal River, Florida since 2012.[1]
Brown pelicans,herons,egrets,cormorants and many other species nest on the islands. Tarpon Key has the largest brown pelicanrookery in the state.
The NWR is closed to public use, for the protection of natural and cultural resources.
ThisFloridaprotected area related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
This article about a location inPinellas County,Florida is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |