Other Managed Lands

The Environmental Lands Division (ELD) also manages 15 smaller, environmentally sensitive properties. These lands, called Management Areas, do not yet have an approved management plan, but are governed by individual policy documents.

As with preserves, public activities on Management Areas are governed by the Preserve Ordinance 08-29.

For more information or to contact the land manager in charge of a particular Management Area, please contact us at:

(727) 453-6900
or
ELD@pinellascounty.org

Allen's Creek Management Area
This Management Area is approximately 33 acres in size and is subdivided into two parcels that lie on either side of Belcher Road in Largo. The western parcel is dominated by mangrove tidal swamp while the eastern parcel was restored in 2005 through cooperative efforts with the Southwest Florida Water Management District's (SWFWMD) Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) program, the City of Largo, and Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management. It is not uncommon to spot manatees and mixed flocks of wading birds in the shallows.

• Restoration
  • Completed: estuarine communities, funded in part by a SWFWMD SWIM grant
  • In Progress: upland enhancements, funded by Penny for Pinellas
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Alligator Lake Management Area
Located near Safety Harbor and connected to Old Tampa Bay, this Management Area is approximately 53 acres and includes two wading bird rookery islands. The once tidally-influenced creek system was dredged and filled to create the lake we see today. A restoration project is underway to benefit wading bird rookeries and to improve upland and wetland communities.

• Restoration
  • Completed: removal of nuisance vegetation through matching grants from the Pinellas County Environmental Fund and the City of Clearwater
  • In Progress: exotic vegetation removal
  • Future: none
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Anclote Islands Management Area
Since 2000, nearly 160 acres of environmentally sensitive salt marsh, mangrove islands, and upland communities along the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs have been purchased by Pinellas County, using Endangered Lands funding generated by the Penny for Pinellas. The Anclote Islands protect important wildlife habitat between the Gulf of Mexico and Brooker Creek Preserve.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Cabbage Key Management Area
Located in Tierra Verde, this Management Area is nearly 340 acres of mangrove swamp, coastal
hammock, and oligohaline ponds. It provides a refuge for many species of migratory and colonial birds. The mangrove-fringed coastline surrounded by seagrass also provides critical habitat for native fishes and invertebrates. 

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Cow Branch Management Area
Located at the southwestern end of Lake Tarpon, this 86-acre Management Area consists primarily of cypress swamps with some upland hardwood forests. The northern portion of Cow Branch Creek, which flows between Lake Tarpon and Lake St. George, is included within this Management Area. The parcel supports one of the County's best examples of a mature swamp forest and protects many important wetland resources.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

East Lake Management Area
This nearly 24-acre property was donated to the County in 1987 as conservation land. The parcel supports forested wetlands with artificial ponds and canals nestled among several residential communities west of East Lake Road.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Joe's Creek Management Area
Nearly 200 acres of pine-dominated uplands and coastal estuaries 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, removed invasive plants, and improved hydrology.

• Restoration
  • Completed: wetland/upland restoration funded in part by the Southwest Florida Water Management District; exotic vegetation removal
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

King Islands Management Area
This approximately 25-acre Management Area consists of two small islands and surrounding waters, and is located in the intra-coastal waters south of the Dunedin Causeway. Although the plant species found on the islands are predominantly exotics, these islands support roosting brown pelicans and a number of shorebird species.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Lake Seminole Management Area
This linear tract occurs along the northeastern edge of Lake Seminole and is not connected to the County's Lake Seminole County Park. Comprised mostly of forested uplands, the Management Area protects an active eagle nest and other natural resources.

• Restoration
  • Current: none
  • Future: none
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Lake Tarpon Management Area
Located on the northeastern shore of Lake Tarpon, this Management Area consists of 42 acres of high-quality forested wetlands. This area protects a mature freshwater swamp, supporting very large specimen trees that offer hints about the extensive old-growth once common in the area.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Lake Tarpon West Management Area
The smallest Management Area at 3.7 acres, it is located on the western shore of Lake Tarpon. This area protects forested wetlands and other natural communities.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Long Branch Management Area
This 15-acre forested tract occurs along Long Branch Creek at its mouth into Tampa Bay in Clearwater. Large oaks line the tidal creek and significant estuarine areas protect fisheries and wildlife resources. This Management Area also helps improve water quality in this area of Tampa Bay.

• Restoration
  • Completed: none
  • Future: removal of exotic vegetation
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Mariner's Point Management Area
Purchased in 2000, this ecologically diverse 76-acre parcel is located in south Tarpon Springs along the Gulf of Mexico. Excellent examples of coastal pineland forests sloping toward mangroves and salt marshes exist here.

• Restoration
  • Current: none
  • Future: none
• Prescription Burns: prescriptions prepared, awaiting appropriate conditions
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Ozona Management Area
At 8 acres in size, this Management Area protects coastal forests and estuaries, and represents a resource of cultural and historical importance.

• Restoration
  • Completed: first strike exotic vegetation removal
  • In Progress: continued exotic vegetation removal
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

Travatine Island Management Area
Located at the extreme north end of Boca Ciega Bay near Redington Shores, this Management Area is slated for restoration to improve coastal natural resources. It supports diverse salterns and associated natural communities.

• Restoration
  • Future: exotic plant removal
• Prescription Burns: not applicable
• Ecological Monitoring: incidental observations

The ELD also manages four (4) preserves within Pinellas County. To learn more about these preserves, click here.

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