Our Lands

Our mission is to provide sound stewardship to the County’s wild lands and opportunities for the appreciation of their intrinsic value.

Currently, the Division manages 4 Preserves and 11 Management Areas. Preserves are ecologically diverse properties with well-defined, passive public-use opportunities. Each has a management plan that has been reviewed and approved by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Management Areas do not yet have approved management plans, but are governed by individual policy documents and have limited or nonexistent public-use features. It is expected that several Management Areas will eventually become Preserves as management plans for them are developed and approved. Per County Preserve Ordinance 08-29 , all flora and fauna are protected; and pets and alcohol are not permitted in Preserves and Management Areas.

Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center and the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center are managed by the Division.  These two state-of-the-art facilities offer the public environmental programs for all ages, interactive exhibits, art galleries, gift shops and exciting volunteer opportunities. 

For more information and directions to the Division and the Centers, contact us.

Brooker Creek -
Brooker Creek Preserve is the County's largest natural area at nearly 8,500 acres. Located in the northeastern corner but extending westward to the Anclote River, it is comprised mostly of pinelands and freshwater swamps. Native wildlife includes bobcats, red-shouldered hawks, wood storks, coyotes, white-tailed deer, and gopher tortoises.  It also includes a significant portion of the watershed of Brooker Creek, a major input to Lake Tarpon.  The award-winning Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center opened to the public in June 2004 (see photographs), providing numerous interactive exhibits, gift shop, and resource center. The facility is open Wednesday from 9am to 8:30pm and Thursday - Sunday from 9am to 4pm (closed holidays). Boardwalks and trails (hiking and equestrian) are currently available for public use on the Preserve. Hikers looking for a quiet place to experience nature will enjoy the 4-mile, 4-loop, Wildlands Hiking Trails located next to the Center. The Friends Trail, a 1.75-mile hiking trail, is located at the end of Lora Lane. Trail conditions vary with the season.

Weedon Island -
Weedon Island Preserve, including the associated Gateway Tract, is an expansive 3,000-acre region on Tampa Bay in north St. Petersburg comprised mostly of marine habitats with some uplands. Indigenous peoples, including those during the Weeden Island Cultural Period, occupied this site for thousands of years. A varied modern history also is part of the Preserve's legacy. Today, the Preserve protects this wide diversity of natural and cultural resources for future generations. An education center opened to the public in December 2002 ( see photographs ). The Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center provides an overview of the rich marine resources of the Preserve and the interrelationship of the environment with the prehistoric , historic , and modern  cultures that once inhabited the Preserve. The facility is open Wednesday - Sunday from 10am to 4pm (closed holidays) and includes a small gift shop . Visit the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural & Natural History Center and take a virtual tour of artifacts. Hiking and canoe trails, a fishing pier, kayak rentals, and an observation tower with over a mile of boardwalks through mangrove swamps are currently available for public use on the Preserve.

Prehistoric Dugout Canoe Discovered at Weedon Island Preserve
Archaeologists recently investigated an ancient dugout canoe dating to 1,100 years ago at Weedon Island Preserve. The canoe was made of pine and measured almost 40 feet long, making it the longest prehistoric canoe found in Florida. In addition, this canoe had a raised bow for travel on open waters, and one of two ever found in a salt water bay environment. For now the canoe will remain buried until funding is in place for proper curation and preservation.

(  Indicates PDF file)

Weedon Island Preserve Visitor Guide
Weedon Island Preserve North Paddling Trail
Weedon Island Preserve South Paddling Trail
Weedon Island Preserve Management Plan

CAMPING PERMIT

Shell Key -
Shell Key Preserve was established in 2000 with the cooperation of the State Department of Environmental Protection. Designed to protect sensitive marine habitats, this 1,800-acre Preserve includes one of the County's largest undeveloped barrier islands (Shell Key) as well as numerous mangrove islands and expansive sea grass beds. The Preserve also includes an upland area within Tierra Verde that is being restored for migratory songbird habitat. Shell Key has been designated as one of the State's most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering and it serves as an important study area for these species. It also is an important area for recreation. A balance for both uses was established by restricting public use to the northern and southern ends of the island. A central core area for conservation is off-limits to the public. Boating, camping, and beach-going activities are permitted in public use areas of the Preserve. For more information see Shell Key Preserve Management Plan Update 2007.

For Shell Key Preserve rules and regulations, please review the Shell Key Preserve Visitor Guide (PDF). Additionally, please note the following recent changes which may affect your visit to the island.

Northeast Tip - Beach Closed to:
Anchored or Beached Vessels
Swimming

Safety is always a major concern. Restrictions are now in effect along the narrow channel at the northeast tip of Shell Key which is a major access point for vessels entering the waters of the Preserve. Historic congestion along this shoreline resulted in unsafe conditions. Please help us keep everyone safe by obeying this new rule.

Shell Key provides critical bird nesting habitat for several listed species. Research over the past three years on the island has documented colony losses due to disturbance by pets and their owners. Consequently, a pilot study has been implemented where no pets will be allowed on the island during this 2-month critical nesting period. Data will be reviewed to determine the effectiveness of this restriction. Please help us balance the needs of the wildlife that rely on this island with the needs of the public.

Managed Lands

Allen's Creek - This management area consists of about 35 acres of uplands and wetlands along Allen's Creek near its mouth on Tampa Bay in central Clearwater. Used historically as pasture for an equestrian operation, much of this site is now the target of a major restoration effort, funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. When completed, the restored wetlands will improve water quality in Allen's Creek before it enters Tampa Bay. Upland restoration will improve wildlife habitat.

Alligator Lake - This 95-acre tract is located on the edge of Alligator Lake in both Safety Harbor and Clearwater. Consisting primarily of oak-dominated uplands and lake-edge wetlands, this management area provides significant wildlife habitat. A major restoration effort with the City of Clearwater will remove significant areas of invasive plant species from a region on the western shore of the lake near Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Anclote Islands - Since 2000, more than 100 acres of environmentally sensitive salt marsh and upland habitat in and along the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs have been purchased by the County using Endangered Lands funds generated by the Penny for Pinellas, local option sales tax. The Anclote Islands Corridor project area seeks to preserve important estuary and wildlife habitat between the Gulf of Mexico and Brooker Creek Preserve.

Cow Branch South Bay - Located at the southwestern end of Lake Tarpon, this 95-acre management area consists mostly of cypress swamp habitat and some upland hardwood forest. The northern portion of Cow Branch Creek flowing between Lake Tarpon and Lake St. George is included also. Cow Branch preserves one of the County's best examples of mature swamp forest and protects important wetland resources.

Joe's Creek - Nearly 200 acres of pine-dominated uplands and coastal estuary habitat are protected within this management area. Located near the north end of Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, several major restoration projects have improved past disturbances and greatly improved coastal estuary habitat. An upland habitat restoration project currently is underway to remove areas of invasive plants and spoil piles of soil that have affected surface hydrology. An active eagle nest has been closely monitored for more than a decade.

Lake Seminole By-Pass - This linear 160-acre tract occurs along the northeastern edge of Lake Seminole and is not connected to the County's Lake Seminole Park. Comprised mostly of forested uplands, the management area also protects an active eagle nest.

Lake Tarpon North East - One of the Division's smallest management areas, this 42-acre forested wetland area at the northeastern end of Lake Tarpon protects sensitive mature freshwater swamp habitats and some large specimen trees.

Long Branch - Another relatively small management area, this 23-acre forested tract occurs along Long Branch Creek at its mouth into Tampa Bay in Clearwater. Large oaks line the Creek and significant estuary habitat protects fisheries and wildlife resources. This management area also helps protect water quality in this area of Tampa Bay.

Mariner's Point - Purchased in 2000, Mariner's Point is an ecologically diverse 65-acre parcel in south Tarpon Springs along the Gulf of Mexico. Excellent examples of coastal pineland forest sloping towards mangrove and salt marsh habitats exist here. This management area also has great possibilities for future passive public uses.

Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve - This nearly 300-acre management area is managed through an interlocal agreement with the City of Oldsmar. Located at the north end of Upper Tampa Bay, this area encompasses a wide diversity of upland and coastal habitats. The City of Oldsmar is planning an education center and other public use facilities at the north end of the property. The Division is responsible for management of the remaining natural lands. Hiking and canoe trails are planned as well as a public fishing pier.

Ozona - Our smallest management area at 8 acres in size, Ozona protects coastal forest and estuary habitat and preserves a region of cultural and historical importance to the local citizens.

Travatine Island - Largely a man-made spoil island at the extreme north end of Boca Ciega Bay near Redington Shores, this management area is the future target of an extensive restoration effort to improve habitat for coastal wildlife. Currently, the site hosts some habitat for beach-nesting birds

Top of Page