St. Petersburg Audubon Society

Shell Key Overview

Starting in the early 90s SPAS began a quest to protect Shell Key's beach nesting bird population. In 1992 eighty signs were posted to educate visitors and ensure the beach nesting birds could raise their young undisturbed. In 1999, with the assistance of St. Petersburg Audubon, Tampa Baywatch and other environmental and governmental units, Pinellas County began creating a management plan for Shell Key and the surrounding waters. The plan was adopted in March 2000, and the Shell Key Preserve was born.

Shell Key Management Planned Approved

On Tuesday October 2, 2007, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously (6-0, Commissioner Harris was absent) to approve the revised Shell Key Management plan, as recommended by Environmental Lands Division staff, the St. Petersburg and Clearwater Audubon Societies, Audubon of Florida and a host of other conservation groups.