Shell Key Preserve

{{Short description|Barrier island in Pinellas County, Florida}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} [[File:Shell Key detail.png|thumb|Chart of Shell Key]] '''Shell Key Preserve''' is an 1,800-acre preserve located on Shell Key in [[Tierra Verde, Florida|Tierra Verde]], [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Florida]]. The preserve protects sensitive marine habitats and includes one of the county's largest undeveloped [[barrier island]]s as well as numerous mangrove islands and expansive sea grass beds.

Shell Key emerged as a [[barrier island]] in the early 1960s from a submerged shoal on the north side of Bunces Pass (the island was originally named North Bunces Key). The island extends up to the [[Pass-a-Grille]] inlet. The island has grown as [[swash]] bars develop off-shore and migrate onto the beach. The island has been breached by storms, but the breaches have closed. The island remains vulnerable to being [[overwash]]ed by [[storm surge]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Richard A. Jr. |title=Barrier Islands of the Florida Gulf Coast Peninsula |publisher=[[Pineapple Press]] |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-56164-8085 |location=Sarasota, Florida|pages=44–48}}</ref>

Shell Key has been designated as one of the state's most important areas for shorebird nesting and wintering and it serves as an important study area for these species. It also is an important area for recreation. A balance for both uses was established by restricting public use to the northern and southern ends of the island. A central core area for conservation is closed to the public.

Boating, camping, and beach-going activities are permitted in public use areas of the preserve. Visitors can access Shell Key only via a water vessel and no restroom facilities are provided. The closest boat ramps, trailer parking, and restroom facilities are located at nearby at [[Fort De Soto Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/managedlands/skp.htm |title=Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - Shell Key Preserve |publisher=Pinellascounty.org |date= |accessdate=2012-01-24}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:Gulf Coast barrier islands of Florida]] [[Category:Protected areas of Pinellas County, Florida]] [[Category:Nature reserves in Florida]] [[Category:Islands of Pinellas County, Florida]] [[Category:Islands of Florida]]