Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Brown Pelican

Sign Featuring First Refuge Manager Paul Kroegel

Boardwalk to Observation Tower

Pelican Island

Tricolor Heron at Pelican Island Pond

River Otter

Male Blue Land Crab

Seaside Dragonlet

Wildflower Meadow

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)

Marsh Pink (Sabatia grandiflora)

Mother and Baby Raccoon in Sabal Palm

Pelican Island was our first National Wildlife Refuge (near Sebastian Inlet, Florida).  It was created by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1903 to protect birds from the feather hunters.  It was the first time that the Federal Government set aside land for wildlife.  In 1963 Pelican Island was designated a National Historic Landmark.  By 2003 the refuge had expanded and improvements were added including an interpretive trail, boardwalk, and observation tower.  Over 16 species of birds nest on the island every spring.