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First Refuge Hosts Centennial Celebration

A century ago, on March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island as the first National Wildlife Refuge. One hundred years later, on March 14, 2003, that historic event attracted no fewer than five thousand visitors to the Rivercenter Park in Sebastian, Florida, to join the "Celebration of a Century of Conservation."

NWRA President Evan Hirsche joined other dignitaries at a morning ceremony at the Pelican Island visitor center led by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton. The ceremony rededicated the site as a National Historical Landmark and culminated in the laying of the final plank in a boardwalk leading to a new observation tower designed to give every visitor an excellent view of Pelican Island. The VIP activities continued with a visit to the homestead of Paul Kroegel, the first manager of Pelican Island, before moving to Rivercenter Park for a series of speeches and musical performances. Highlights included the unveiling of the Pelican Island commemorative postage stamp.

The park overflowed with a variety of attractions, ranging from vendors offering food and nature related arts, crafts and books, to exhibits from refuge related organizations such as NWRA and refuge friends groups from across the country. An Arlo Guthrie concert and a spectacular fireworks show capped off the day's events. Throughout this celebration and Refuge Centennial celebrations across the country and scheduled during the rest of this year, we are all reminded of the tremendous importance of deepening our commitment to continuing our work to protect, enhance and expand these precious lands.

Wildlife personality Jack Hanna holds a lynx during his presentation.	A rehabilitated bald eagle is released as part of the centennial celebration.