The refuge was established in 1974 to protect the significant natural, historical, and cultural resources from the impending threats of development. Egmont Key NWR, located on a remote 250 acre island situated at the mouth of Tampa Bay, provides important habitat for nesting sea turtles, gopher tortoises, over 30,000 nesting pairs of birds, and other wildlife. Bird sanctuaries at the south end of the island make up about 1/3 of Egmont Key, with approximately 97 acres set aside for wildlife to rest, nest, and feed.

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Museum and Sign
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Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Egmont Key NWR was designated as a national wildlife refuge in 1974. Egmont Key is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge       to protect the island’s diverse natural, cultural, and historical features. Egmont Key is also cooperatively managed as a unit of the Florida Park Service as Egmont Key State Park. Egmont Key is on the National Register of Historic Places for playing a prominent role in Florida’s Seminole Indian Wars, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War.

      What We Do

      The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.

      Our Library

      Egmont Key Hurricane Factsheet May 2025
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      Egmont Key Hurricane Factsheet May 2025

      Summary of cleanup and restorations on Egmont Key thus far and ongoing since 2024 Hurricanes.

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      Projects and Research

      Staff monitors bird populations and collects and records observational data. Sea turtle nesting sites are monitored. Other research projects include studying gopher tortoises, box turtles, and beach erosion.