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The Shell Key Preserve is located in the Gulf of Mexico, immediately west of Tierra
Verde in southern Pinellas County (see Figure 1). It
includes a barrier island and several mangrove islands as well as the surrounding seagrass
beds and sandflats. In the past, the barrier island consisted of both Shell Key and an
unnamed key to the south. These two have since merged into one island which is referred to
as Shell Key for the purposes of this document. Many of the mangrove islands within the
Shell Key Preserve are named, such as God’s Island, Panama Key, Sawyer Key, Summer
Resort Key and Sister Key, although there are also a number of unnamed mangrove islands of
various sizes. The total size of the preserve is 1755 acres and Shell Key itself covers
approximately 180 acres with a linear distance of approximately 2.6 miles (northeast tip
to southeast tip, following the center of the island). The island, however, is very
dynamic and has changed dramatically over the years. Extensive seagrass beds lie to the
east of Shell Key. Access to Shell Key is by boat only although it may occasionally be
accessed by swimmers or waders.
All of the Shell Key Preserve is located within Pinellas County. Its southern boundary
is Bunces Pass. Immediately south of the pass is the Ft. DeSoto Park Aquatic Habitat
Management Area (managed by Pinellas County as a seagrass protection area) and Ft. DeSoto
Park, a Pinellas County park. The surrounding area to the north and east of the preserve
is heavily urbanized. To the west is the open Gulf of Mexico. Figure 2 is the vicinity map and Figure 3 is an aerial photograph of the preserve. A legal
description of the area and any available deeds are included in Addendum
1.
The preserve is managed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners through
the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, Division of Environmental
Lands. Also key to the success of this plan is the involvement of local volunteers, such
as the St. Petersburg and National Audubon Societies which have been involved with the
protection of birds on Shell Key since 1992. Technical assistance is provided by the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection. Enforcement is provided primarily by the Pinellas County
Sheriff’s Department although the Florida Marine Patrol also has jurisdiction.
Most of the land within the preserve is within public ownership.
A large portion of the property is owned by the State of Florida and
was acquired in 1845 from the U. S. Government as sovereign lands
when Florida acquired statehood. The State-owned areas are leased
to Pinellas County under Lease No. 4228 (see Addendum
2) or placed under management agreement. The remaining public
property belongs to Pinellas County and was acquired with endangered
lands funds. There are a few scattered privately held lands within
the preserve boundary and Pinellas County will continue to evaluate
these for potential purchase. Figure 4 shows ownership within the preserve.
The most unique feature of the preserve is Shell Key itself, an undeveloped barrier
island. This type of habitat has become extremely rare in Florida and is critical to the
survival of a number of wildlife species that depend on coastal systems. Some of the same
natural features that attract wildlife to Shell Key also attract thousands of human
visitors annually. In response to the combination of heavy public and wildlife uses, Shell
Key has been identified within the State as the area "most in need of conservation
actions to protect wintering shorebirds" (Sprandel 1995), as well as other wildlife
groups. Consequently, public activities are also addressed in the management plan.
Permitted uses are primarily of a passive nature, related to the aesthetic, educational
and public enjoyment of the area, although other compatible uses may be permitted in
limited amounts. Management emphasis is placed on enhancement of the natural ecosystems
within the Shell Key Preserve, however, it also recognizes public uses which are
consistent with the management plan.
Improvements within the preserve are restricted to the minimum necessary for ensuring
resource protection, enhancement and sustainability, while affording limited access, user
safety, and compatible public uses.
There are no legislative or executive directives that constrain the use of this
property other than the lease agreement with the State of Florida which requires that the
property be managed "only for the conservation and protection of natural and
historical resources and for resource-based public outdoor activities and education which
are compatible with the conservation and protection of these public lands". The
lease also includes five specific conditions that establish the minimum standards for the
management plan.
1. The primary purpose of the lease shall be to ensure management compatible with the
protection and conservation of wintering and nesting shorebirds.
2. The management plan shall delineate core areas for the protection of shorebirds
within the greater Shell Key area.
3. Critical bird habitat within the core area shall be posted to prohibit trespass and
minimize human disturbance to wintering, nesting, and migrating shorebirds. The posted
boundaries should remain flexible and reflective of bird use and changes in island
geography and topography.
4. Pinellas County leash laws shall be enforced on Shell Key.
5. Beach raking and mechanical cleaning activities shall be prohibited during shorebird
nesting season and turtle nesting season.
In addition to the lease requirements, the area is subject to appropriate local, State
and Federal laws as well as the policies of the Board of Trustees of the Internal
Improvement Trust Fund regarding state-owned lands and the Pinellas County Board of County
Commissioners regarding county-owned or managed properties.
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