news release

The Pelican Island Conservation Society has a variety of activities planned for the weekend-long 121^st anniversary celebration of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge March 15-17.  Be sure to join us to learn about our country’s first Refuge from the man who established it, President Theodore Roosevelt himself, brought to life by our friend Joe Wiegand.

We recently learned that a special guest, a descendant of President Roosevelt, will also be joining us this year.  Ted Roosevelt IV, great grandson of President Roosevelt, and his wife, are traveling to Sebastian for our celebration.  Additionally, Paul Kroegel’s grandson Wayne and wife Shirley will be visiting; we anticipate that they will all join us for our Friday evening picnic supper at the Environmental Learning Center.

Ted Roosevelt is an avid conservationist and lover of wildlife, like his great grandfather, and will be at Pelican Island on Saturday to meet Refuge staff and check out the birds on Pelican Island.  Mr. Roosevelt is Chairman of Barclays’ Clean Tech Initiative and has been involved with many other climate change and sustainability initiatives.

We look forward to the Kroegels and Roosevelts joining us for our celebration this year and hope that you will join us to meet these distinguished guests.  We also would like to thank our sponsors – Florida Power & Light, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, and Windsor Properties – all of whom have supported Pelican Island NWR celebrations at various times, over a number of years.

Please see the PICS website at http://www.FirstRefuge.org/anniversary for more details and online reservations for the picnic supper and sunset wine and cheese cruise the following day.  For more information, you may call PICS at 772-202-0697.