Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Our Indian River Lagoon features a unique treasure. Pelican Island in northern Indian River County is our nation’s first and oldest National Wildlife Refuge. President Theodore Roosevelt established the refuge in 1903 to protect egrets, spoonbills, and other birds from being hunted for their feathers. 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. Because nesting birds are easily disturbed, visitors can view the island only from special boardwalks or boats and kayaks. Thanks to the foresight of past generations, Pelican Island is a protected home for fifteen threatened and endangered species, as well as thousands of other marine birds, mammals, and fish.
for more info: www.helpthelagoon.org
