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Managed Areas
Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR) manages the county's environmentally sensitive lands using sound resource management practices that promote the quality of ecosystems native to the county. Management practices focus on maintaining or enhancing the natural biological diversity. They also provide opportunities for the public to appreciate these wild lands for their intrinsic value.
The preserves and other managed areas are ecologically diverse properties with well-defined, resource-based public recreational amenities. Each plan is implemented upon approval by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and, in some cases, other governmental agencies.
Management areas are small properties that also protect natural and cultural resources, but do not typically support established public uses.
Public activities on Management Areas are governed by the Municode - Chapter 90 - Parks and Conservation Resources.
Allen's Creek Management Area - map - Charter Amendment 
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. Upland enhancements,
funded by Penny for Pinellas, 2008, were completed in 2008. It is not uncommon to spot
manatees and mixed flocks of wading birds
in the shallows. Allen's
Creek Management Area
Alligator
Lake Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Anclote
Islands Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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 funding generated by the Penny
for Pinellas. The
Anclote Islands protect important wildlife
habitat between the Gulf of Mexico and
Brooker Creek Preserve.
Cabbage
Key Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Cow Branch Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
East
Lake Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Joe's Creek Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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. Wetland/upland restoration funded
in part by the Southwest Florida
Water Management District, have been completed.
King
Islands Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Lake
Seminole Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Lake
Tarpon Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Lake
Tarpon West Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Long
Branch Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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.
Mariner's Point Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
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. Several restoration projects have been completed at this site.
Ozona Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
At 8 acres in size, this Management Area
protects coastal forests and estuaries,
and represents a resource of cultural and
historical importance. Extensive exotic control has been completed at this site.
Travatine
Island Management Area - map - Charter Amendment
Located at the extreme north end
of Boca Ciega Bay near Redington Shores,
this Management Area supports coastal resources, including diverse salterns and associated
natural communities.
Charter Amendments
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