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Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

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 Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Text & Photos © Millie Taylor, TropRockin.com
Walking trail through the park.

 Florida’s Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge


I just love motoring along A1A in Florida and finding my new Adventure.  A1A has many attractions and my recent travels brought me to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge deserves a great big Happy Birthday after 111 years of giving a safe environment to the Grey Pelican and other feathered friends. Thank you President Theodore Roosevelt for your passion and starting a movement to preserve our wildlife and protect their environment. On March 14, 1903 President Roosevelt designated Pelican Island as the first wildlife refuge. This was just the beginning of a long line of eco-friendly refuges to be managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and its partners. We have over 540 wildlife refuges in the United States and over 3,000 waterfowl breeding and nesting grounds.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Snowy Egret

Located in the Indian River Lagoon between A1A and the mainland (close to Sebastian, Florida), Pelican Island is full of history and knowledge as you stroll through the grounds. The Centennial Trail is ¾ mile round trip to an observation tower that overlooks the little islands. There is a handicap accessible ramp to the observation tower and the trails are very handicap friendly. There are benches that line the trail for a nice break or a relaxing rest by the pond with ducks.

 Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

The planks of the boardwalk are engraved as tribute to each national wildlife refuge.  It starts out with the newest 2013 wildlife refuges, their location and year.  As you follow the boardwalk, you’ll go back in time as you climb the ramp until you reach the top where the last plank is 1903 Pelican Island Fl. We also enjoyed a beautiful stroll on one the two 3 mile trails.  You can choose from the Joe Michael Memorial Trail or Pete’s Impoundment Trail (a salt marsh reservoir). The trails are very sandal or flip flop friendly.

 Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Remember this is a wildlife refuge – You will not find any picnic tables or eating areas here. This is just a bring your camera, binoculars and a bottle of water. A lot of people still do not understand that we as humans have a bad effect on the wildlife with our instinct to want to feed everything. The wildlife refuge has only one location for the restrooms and that is at the front of the refuge so that it is far from the bird’s environment. You will not see any pigeons or black birds here, only native birds and traveling birds who need a safe home or stop along their passage.  Over 30 species of birds use the island as a rookery or feeding area.

 Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

View from the observation tower.

We could not stay till sunset, but the refuge was filling up fast with folks and professional photographers with cameras costing more than our car. About an hour before sunset the little islands fill up with the Grey and White Pelicans as well as their other feathered friends. We did get to enjoy the Wood Storks, Egrets, ducks and a few others we simply called beautiful birds.

For more information, visit:  Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge
Address:  Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge is located on Hwy A1A – 3.3 miles South of Sebastian Inlet and a 3.7 North Wabasso Beach
Hours:  7:30 am – Sunset daily

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I live close to A1A and love this stretch of road that leads me to so many adventures! I'm perfectly situated between my two wonderful children. I love to visit my daughter in the FL panhandle and my son in Key West. I'm a Parrot Head and I love Trop Rock music!

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