Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
The Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located offshore from mainland St. Petersburg, Florida, and only accessible by boat. The refuge was established in 1951, to act as a breeding ground for colonial bird species. Islands within the refuge include Indian, Tarpon, Mule, and Jackass Keys, and all are within the St. Petersburg city limits.Management
The Pinellas NWR is one of the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges', along with Passage Key NWR and Egmont Key NWR. Previously administered as a part of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the three Tampa Bay refuges, the Chassahowitzka NWR, and the Crystal River NWR have been administered by the Crystal River Complex, headquartered in Crystal River, Florida since 2012.Fauna
s, herons, egrets, cormorants and many other species nest on the islands. Tarpon Key has the largest brown pelican rookery in the state.Access
The NWR is closed to public use for the protection of natural and cultural resources.
