Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and part of the Everglades Headwaters NWR complex, located just off the western coast of Orchid Island, Florida in the Indian River Lagoon east of Sebastian, Florida. The refuge consists of a island that includes an additional of surrounding water and is located off the east coast of Florida of the Indian River Lagoon. Established by an executive order of President Theodore Roosevelt on March 14, 1903, Pelican Island was the first National wildlife refuge in the United States. created in 2012 (556th unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System) with a donation and other lands covering approximately north of Lake Okeechobee. will be held under "conservation easement"s through the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This allows landowners the right to retain ownership of the land, with the ability to continue farming or ranching, ensuring that the land can't be subdivided or developed.

Pelican Island NWR has been placed on the List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance along with other areas of wetlands in the United States.

History

In 1860 census listed population of two people and in the 1880 census listed that less than 30 individuals lived in the St. Sebastian River area. Pelican Island's bird populations were threatened because of increased American settlement around the area in the mid-19th century. Many of the exotic birds were killed for their feathers, used in the fashion industry. Plumes from the birds were used to adorn ladies' hats of the day and at the time were worth more than their weight in gold.

Paul Kroegel, a German immigrant, moved to Florida in 1881 and lived on the west bank of Indian River Lagoon. He was fascinated with the pelicans on the island. Being able to see the island from his home, Paul would watch the pelicans and other water birds. He eventually took an interest in the island and its protection. However, there was not any state or federal law to help him so he took control of the situation himself. Kroegel sailed to the island to stand guard and protect the birds and the island.

Recent threats

During the 1960s, Pelican Island was threatened by attempts to sell the surrounding wetlands and islands to developers. Local citizens led a fight to protect Pelican Island by stopping the sale of the wetlands. The Indian River Area Preservation League, formed by local citrus growers, commercial fishermen, and sportsmen, joined with Florida Audubon Society to convince the State to include the islands as a part of the refuge.

"Later in 1963, Pelican Island was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior because of its status as the first federal area set aside specifically to protect wildlife."

Staffing at Pelican Island is made up of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The staff members have recently fallen from six to two which has had many negative consequences. The cuts have led to limiting refuge work and restricting public visitation. Another consequence is the end of 14-year tradition of the wildlife festival.

Physical environment

thumb|left|Aerial of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

The environment of Pelican Island consists of climate, topography, geology, air quality, and waterways.

Climate

The climate at Pelican Island NWR is subtropical and temperate and experiences an average temperate of . Pelican Island has long, warm, and humid summers and short, mild winters and has an average rainfall of about annually. Pelican Island may experience tropical storms in the period from May to November.

Topography

The elevation of Pelican Island changes from east to west. It rises sharply from sea level to about and then drops back down more slowly to below sea level in the Indian River Lagoon. The land between the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River is . Even further west, there is an ancient dune that rises in elevation from to .

New public facilities were opened and dedicated on March 14, 2003, in ceremonies marking the centennial of Pelican Island and the National Wildlife Refuge System. A 37¢ US Commemorative Stamp in honor of the NWR Centennial was issued as part of the celebration. The new facilities include a 1/4 mile boardwalk and observation tower to view Pelican Island, two salt marsh impoundment foot trails, interpretive signs, informational kiosks, restrooms and parking areas. The facilities are west of Highway A1A on the north end of Historic Jungle Trail. They were produced through a partnership with Indian River County, St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Inland Navigation District, Florida Power and Light, ConocoPhillips, Wild Birds Unlimited, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and many others. Future plans include additional boardwalks, an overlook, a photo blind and a wildlife drive.

Jungle Trail

thumb|Jungle Trail

The historic Jungle Trail is a sandy road with a section that goes through the refuge. Citrus growers originally built this road in the 1920s and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

See also

  • Florida State Parks
  • Indian River County, Florida
  • List of National Wildlife Refuges
  • History of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Notes

References

  • Dinnage, Russell J. "WILDLIFE REFUGES: Budgetary downturn for national refuges hits staffers hardest." Land Letter. 16 November 2006.
  • Hem, Brad. "Looking ahead, Pelican Island may be next in line: Port of Houston buys land, could join Galveston in a joint effort." The Houston Chronicle. 4 February 2007.
  • McHugh, Paul. "Wildlife refuges on life support; Flat budgets imperil future of the system." The San Francisco Chronicle. 21 December 2006.
  • "Parks: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge." GORP. 2007. 26 April 2007. <https://web.archive.org/web/20100517055918/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-prime-hook-national-wildlife-refuge-pelican-island-national-wildlife-refuge-birdwatching-sidwcmdev_068511.html>.
  • "Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge: Comprehensive Conservation Plan." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sept 2006. 9 May 2007. <http://library.fws.gov/CCPs/pelicanisland_final.pdf >.
  • "Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. 26 April 2007. <http://www.fws.gov/pelicanisland/>.
  • Official Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge website
  • Pelican Island Webcam website
  • [https://blog.nwf.org/2011/10/north-americas-1st-wildlife-refuge-lake-merritt-oakland-ca/]