During the second week in March one-hundred and five years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt established Pelican Island, a small mangrove island across from Sebastian, as the nation's first national wildlife refuge. This was the first time in our nation's history that federal lands were set aside specifically for wildlife conservation. On Saturday, March 8, the Pelican Island Preservation Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Sebastian will present the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival in Riverview Park, from 9am to 4pm, to celebrate the birth of America'sNational Wildlife Refuge System, which now includes 548 refuges across the nation.

Now In its sixteenth year, the Pelican Island Wildlife Festival has grown to be one of the most popular wildlife festivals in the state of Florida. The event is free to the public and focuses on helping families connect with nature through environmental education, kid's activities, outdoor recreation activities, relaxation and fun! Held in beautiful Riverview Park in Sebastian alongside the Indian River Lagoon, the event attracts over 8000 people for the day who come to visit with over 80 environmental exhibitors, including live wildlife exhibitors, local environmental and historical organizations, live bands, art & craft vendors, and food vendors. The event kicks off with a waterfront 5K run and provides great opportunities for guided kayaking activities and pontoon boat tours to view the famed Pelican Island throughout the day. Another big draw to the event is the native wildlife shows, featuring birds of prey and reptiles by the Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital and the Treasure Coast Herpetological Society. Every activity at the event is free with exception to special festival rates for the pontoon boat tours to Pelican Island and kayaking activities. All funds collected during the event will be donated to the Pelican Island Preservation Society to construct a new wildlife observation facility at Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The proposed wildlife observation facility will be constructed at the refuge on the current Pete's Impoundment Trail and renamed the Joe Michael Memorial Trail, in honor of Mr. Michael's lifetime accomplishments of conserving lands around Pelican Island and the Indian River Lagoon. The Pelican Island Preservation Society has already raised an initial $9000 through donations from the annual Volvo for life Awards from Bonnie Swanson, the Sebastian Fishin' Chics and the Joe Michael memorial fund.

The Pelican Island Wildlife Festival is coordinated by a dedicated group of over 20 volunteers and two U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees. The committee meets monthly beginning in late summer each year to coordinate the event activities. Well over 250 volunteers are needed on event day to execute the festival.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pelican Island Preservation Society, the City of Sebastian,and our partners, sponsors and volunteers are proud to welcome you to the 16th Annual Pelican Island Wildlife Festival on Saturday, March 8 in Sebastian's Riverview Park from 9am to 4pm. Major event sponsors include Florida Today, Indian River Federal Credit Union, Kayaks Etc, Keep Indian River Beautiful, Press Journal, Runners Depot, Ryan Van Buren, CFP®, Sebastian Fishin' Chics, Sunshine Wildlife Tours, Treasure Coast Herpetological Society, Treasure Coast Wildlife Center, and Waste Management. Please call for more information or visit the festival website at www.pelicanislandfriends.org. Event Info & Volunteering: (772)562-3909 ext 258; Exhibitors: (772)323-4550; 5K Run: (772)569-7364; and Kayak Race: (772)794-9900.