news release
Pelican Island will celebrate its 120th anniversary as the country’s first National Wildlife Refuge in March. President Theodore Roosevelt will join us once again to help celebrate this historic occasion, and bring to life how he came to establish Pelican Island as the first public land set aside for the exclusive benefit of wildlife, on March 14, 1903.
The Pelican Island Conservation Society, the citizen support “friends” organization for the Refuge, invites you to join us and President Roosevelt the weekend of March 10-12, 2023 for a variety of events marking the anniversary. Fundraising events include “An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt” and a sunset wine and cheese cruise with the President around Pelican Island.
Free events taking place at the Pelican Island NWR include meet-and-greets with President Roosevelt, a wildlife display, kids’ activities, stroll the Centennial Trail boardwalk leading to the overlook of the island that started it all – Pelican Island – and a “Sundae Social.” We hope that you can join us for a historic, educational, and entertaining weekend of celebration!
Please visit our website at FirstRefuge.org for details and online reservations for fundraising events, or call 772-202-0697.
Indian River Guardian 