Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
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| Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge | |
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| IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) | |
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| Location: | Indian River County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city: | Wabasso, Florida |
| Area: | 5,376 acres |
| Established: | March 14, 1903 |
| Governing body: | National Park Service |
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located near Vero Beach, Florida. Pelican Island was the first such refuge established in the United States. It was established by an executive order of President Theodore Roosevelt on March 14, 1903. It was set up to protect egrets and other birds from extinction by plume hunters. Plumes from the birds were used to adorn ladies' hats of the day and at the time were worth more than their weight in gold.
The 3 acre island itself, and 2.5 acres of the surrounding waters, was designated as the Pelican Island Wilderness (a National Wilderness Area) on October 23, 1970. It is only accessible by boat.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is one of the refuges listed in the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention signed in 1971.
There is also an elementary school named after it; Pelican Island Elementary.
