Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
| Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge as seen from nearby Anna Maria Island, Florida | |
| Location | Manatee County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Anna Maria, Florida |
| Coordinates | 27°33′20″N 82°44′35″W / 27.55556°N 82.74306°W |
| Area | 64 acres (0.26 km2) (when established) |
| Established | 1905 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Official website |
The Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System, located offshore from St. Petersburg. The 64-acre (0.26 km2) refuge was established in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt to preserve nesting colonies of native seabirds and wading birds. The Passage Key Wilderness Area is part of the refuge, and consists of 36.37 acres (0.1472 km2) (or 56.9%) of its total area. It was established in 1970, to protect native birds and serve as a breeding ground for them.