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.
The significant improvements to the Plan include:
- Dogs will no longer be permitted in the Preserve at any
time. The presence of dogs,even on a leash, stresses nesting, migrating
and wintering shorebirds.
- Likewise, alcohol will no longer
be permitted in the Preserve. Excessive consumptionof alcohol in the
Preserve creates public safety, sanitary and legal liability issues.
- Camping will be limited to the south end of the island, and a camping permit will berequired.
On behalf of the Board and Conservation Committee, I want to express my
personal and heartfelt thanks to everyone who wrote, called, spoke,
encouraged, lobbied and advocated on behalf of the Birds who depend on
Shell Key for their survival. But not only Birds benefited from your
calls; Shell Key’s natural beauty is preserved for people too, and your
voices were
the ones who spoke loudest. I was especially touched by dog owners who
realized that taking their dog to Ft. Desoto’s dog beach is a
worthwhile inconvenience so birds might have a chance to enjoy a sunset
meal.
There were many, many people involved in the effort for at least the last several months; more and more joined in as the final vote approached. I know some of you, but many more I don’t know, which is my loss. I couldn’t begin to name all involved, so I won’t begin to try.
The ramifications of what we all accomplished here will resonate for years into the future, and birds and beaches throughout Florida and beyond will benefit.
St. Pete Audubon members, working through the Pinellas
county Volunteer Services program have continued to maintain signs,
repair twine, pick up trash and help keep Shell Key a great place for
both people and birds alike.
Captain Alva Sholty, a SPAS member and Skipper of the Shell Key Shuttle,
generously provides the Shuttle to ferry us from the pier at 801
Pass-a-Grille Way to Shell Key for bird counts, work days, and much
more. Thank you, Captain Alva!
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Conservation 
