Residents urge Pinellas commissioners to keep funding for Weedon Island Preserve and Shell Key

Speakers, including archaeologists and longtime volunteers, told the board that proposed budget cuts to Weedon Island Preserve and Shell Key would risk a permanent loss of local stewardship and irreplaceable archaeological resources.

"Please do not eliminate the funding for Weedon Island Preserve and Cultural Center," John Arthur, president of the Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education, said in public comment, describing the preserve's educational programs and the threat that defunding would pose to artifacts and public safety.

Other residents backed that appeal. Marge Laurent, who described visiting the preserve and its cultural-center programs, told commissioners: "Do not make an irreversible mistake to solve budget challenges," and urged the board to remove the cuts from the draft FY2027 budget and pursue state funding partnerships instead.

County staff and multiple commissioners acknowledged the preserve is a state-owned property managed under a 50-year county lease and said staff would return with options, including legislative outreach, phased transitions, or funding alternatives. Public Works staff also warned that removing county stewardship could jeopardize specialized monitoring that protects rare habitats and archaeological sites.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 321, topfinish SEG 2966

Speakers (attributions in this article): John Arthur (Weedon Island Alliance, SEG 505), Marge Laurent (resident, SEG 1232), Stuart Rogel (SEG 1305), Barry Burton (County Administrator, staff remarks on options).