Florida natives are often surprised when we warn our northern visitors about sandspurs – and are met with blank stares or the innocent question: “What’s a Sandspur?”. ‘Sandspurs’ or ‘sandburs’ are a type of grass that produces many thorny and…
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County Website & Camping Permits
Pinellas County’s website for Shell Key has been incorporated into the new Parks and Conservation Resources department’s website. The camping permit page has also been updated.
Posted in All Topics, Camping
Shell Key – Island Visitor Checklist
No phone, no lights, no motor car Not a single luxury. Like Robinson Crusoe … It’s primitive as can be When you visit Shell Key, you are essentially in the wilderness. There are no toilets – there is no running…
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County rules on Shell Key
To steer clear of trouble on Shell Key, please be aware of the above listed rules. The rules are enforced by the Pinellas County Sheriff with an aquatic unit called the ‘LIMA Unit. The Sheriff patrols the island…
Autumn on Shell Key
Autumn on Shell Key marks the waning of the oppressive summer heat and the start of camping season. Usually preceded by gentle rain squalls, the cool air moves south in waves that are a week or so apart. It moves…
It’s Springtime on Shell Key
Winter turns to Spring quickly on Shell Key. This time of year, the sun becomes warmer as its angle rises back toward it’s summer perch high in the sky. Yet, the gulf water temperature will remain cool for a while…
a visitor’s guide to Shell Key …
Get everything you need to visit Shell Key and learn more about this wonderful local destination. We have information on boat navigation, wilderness camping, visitor rules, science and history of the island and the surrounding waters. Shell Key Preserve is located…
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Interview with Pam Leisure
We sent a list of questions to the general email link on the county’s Shell Key page regarding the maintenance of the Shell Key Management Plan in the wake of the disbanding of the County’s Environmental Lands Division. We were…
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ELD disbanded: Pinellas County Environmental Lands Division …
Due to budget cuts, the Pinellas County Environmental Lands Division will be disbanded after the start of the Fiscal year in October. Oversight for the Shell Key Management Plan will be transferred to the County Parks Department. We will monitor…
Gulf Oil Spill – A call to action…
Shell Key campers are getting ready to help defend Shell Key from the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. The US Coast Guard has requested that volunteers be prepared to “Pre-Clean” our local beaches in the event that…
Posted in All Topics, Science
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