In October 1905, Teddy Roosevelt established Passage Key as a National Wildlife Refuge. This designated the island for the preservation of seabirds and wading birds. In 1970, Passage Key received additional protection when the U.S. Congress designated it as a National Wilderness. Citizens are not allowed on Passage Key for the protection of birds and other wildlife. However, You can enjoy sights of the island from the water or visit neighboring areas, Egmont Key and Fort Desoto. | Manatee County

Rookery islands like Givney Key in Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge, part of the “Ding” Darling Complex, have been extensively damaged by hurricanes and tropical storms. This past month, “Ding”, along with our partners, planted 700 mangroves on Givney Key. Refuge Biological Sciences Technician Avery Renshaw walked us through the mangrove planting process. Visit our website to learn more about our conservation outreach efforts. | "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge

Passage Key Views ☀️💦 . Passage Key is located at the mouth of Tampa Bay in Manatee County, south of Egmont Key. President Theodore Roosevelt established Passage Key NWR in 1905 to preserve nesting colonies of native seabirds and wading birds. In the early 1900’s Passage Key was a 60-acre mangrove island with a freshwater lake. Today, Passage Key is a low-lying sandbar that fluctuates in size, and is found often completely below water during high tide. . More than 50 species of birds have used

Step into paradise at Snipe Point Sandbar 🩵 Located about 30 minutes off of the island of Key West 🏝️ Sandbars in the Florida Keys aren’t just amazing to visit for a fun day in the sun, they’re also vital to our marine ecosystem! Did you know that: 🌿 Mangrove-lined shores around our sandbars are crucial nurseries for juvenile fish. 🐚 Sandbars and sandy beaches serve as nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles like the Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles. 🦤 Migratory birds like Egrets and Osp