Friends of Weedon Island, Welcome!
We support the Weedon Island Preserve through education, preservation, and protection of its habitat, ecology, and cultural history.
Florida’s Largest Estuary
Weedon Island Preserve encompasses 3,600 acres on Florida’s Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest estuary. Owned by the State of Florida and managed by Pinellas County, visitors can hike over 5 miles of trails covering both wetland and upland habitats. The home of countless species including gopher tortoises, armadillos, native shorebirds, oyster beds, mangroves, pines, palm trees, saw palmetto, and cacti, the habitat is a special wonder in Florida’s most populated county. The Preserve’s Cultural and Natural History Center offers visitors a thorough, and enjoyable, interactive experience that integrates the Preserve’s natural and cultural history. The Center’s auditorium and classroom also expand the Preserve’s opportunity to present interesting and educational programs that attract people throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Discover Our History
Connecting People to Place, a 6,000 square foot interactive exhibit hall in the Preserve’s Cultural and Natural History Center, introduces visitors to natural Florida, its ancient and modern peoples, and how the two shaped each other. Hidden worlds are revealed by paying close attention to the sights and sounds of the exhibit hall and adjacent prehistoric canoe display.
The exhibits are free and open to the public during the Center’s normal business hours.
Updates for Our Friends
2019 Gopher Weedon Trail Run: Register Today
If you're tired of pounding the pavement on the same ole 5K race course, Go-pher something different and enjoy 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) of natural trails through one of Tampa Bays hidden gems!Celebrating its 9th year, [...]
Gopher Weedon Trail Run Registration is Open!
The 8th Annual Gopher Weedon Run is October 27 and REGISTRATION is now open: https://www.active.com/st-petersburg-fl/running/distance-running-races/gopher-weedon-2018. If you're tired of pounding the pavement on the same ole 5K race course, Gopher Weedon offers you the opportunity to enjoy 8 [...]
Gopher Weedon Makes An Entrance!
At a December 7th evening event, the Friends of Weedon Island unveiled a bronze sculpture of Gopher Weedon for display in the Preserve Center's lobby. The sculpture honors the federally endangered gopher tortoise that is frequently [...]