119th Anniversary of Pelican Island

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Photo credit: George Gentry, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Pelican Island Conservation Society will host a series of events in celebration of the 119th Anniversary of the establishment of our nation’s first National Wildlife Refuge created by President Teddy Roosevelt on March 14, 1903.

Festivities will be held March 12 and 13. Featured events include dinners, pontoon boat cruises, and a brunch. The weekend's featured "guest" is President Theodore Roosevelt.

PELICAN ISLAND SOCIETY EVENTS & TICKETS

In 1902 Paul Kroegel was named a game warden for the American Ornithologists Union. The efforts of Kroegel, ornithologists and private citizens met success when President Teddy Roosevelt signed an Executive Order in March 1903 creating the Pelican Island Reservation. Several weeks later, the 39 year old Kroegel was officially appointed warden of this first national wildlife refuge at $1 a month.

Photo credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife

READ THE HISTORY HERE

It was the first time in history the U.S. government had set aside hallowed, timeless land for what became the first unit of the present

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Refuge System.

WHY ROOSEVELT ACTED

A fashion demand for exotic bird feathers to adorn hats had devastated the bird population in south Florida.

Photo credit: Audubon Society

Photo credit: Photo Collection of Ruth Stanbridge