Debbie Avery and Tim Glover. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Despite some disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton, the Pelican Island Conservation Society celebrated National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct. 13-19) with events throughout the whole month.

PICS is dedicated to promoting the awareness, conservation, stewardship and use of our own Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.

On March 14, 1903, Pelican Island was established by President Theodore Roosevelt as the first of what are now 588 Wildlife Refuges in the country. Names of all the others are stamped into planks along the Centennial Trail, which leads to an observation tower with a view of Pelican Island and the birds that call it home.

The refuge is open to the public for passive recreation, such as hiking and birding along its well-cared-for trails, some of which are handicap accessible.

The Artists’ Reception for the 10th annual Indian River Bird & Nature Art Show at the Environmental Learning Center was delayed by two weeks thanks to the storm, but it was well worth the wait for the crowd of artists and guests who attended.

The artwork, on display in the ELC’s Tidal Gallery and Lagoon Room, was submitted by local artists in a variety of categories: Photography, Fabric, Watercolor, 3-Dimensional, Oil, Acrylic, Pastel/Pencil and Plein Air. A portion of the proceeds from artwork sold at the show was donated to PICS and the ELC.

“All of the artwork had to have something to do with nature. So it’s appreciating nature, and getting outside to enjoy the wildlife and that type of thing. There’s even a small component of plein air; one of the paintings is from the refuge itself,” said Tim Glover, past president of the Pelican Island Preservation Society.

“We can always use more people supporting and advocating for support for the Wildlife Refuge.

One of the unique things about Pelican Island is it’s one of a few that doesn’t have a visitor center. So if everybody could campaign for that, it would be wonderful,” said Glover.

“I just wanted to thank Tim and Deb for doing such a fantastic job with the reception today. And thank you to all of the artists for sharing your beautiful artwork with us and all of our guests,” said Barbara Schlitt Ford, executive director of the Environmental Learning Center.

She noted that the ELC hosts monthly art shows. In November artists from the Sebastian River Art Club are featured.

Other activities during the refuge celebration included a sold-out Owl Hoot and Walk with Dee and David Simpson, and a Pelican Island Wine and Cheese Cruise to view the birds coming home to roost for the evening.

As has happened the past few years, the Pelican Island Anniversary Celebration will be held at the refuge itself, rather than in Sebastian, which was the home of Paul Kroegel, the nation’s first refuge manager. The 122nd Anniversary Celebration will take place March 14-16, 2025.

Glover said the decision to move the celebration to the refuge was that many people were unaware of its very existence, despite the fact that the entire PINWR includes more than 5,400 acres, some submerged.

The entrance to the refuge is off of A1A, 3.5 miles south of the Sebastian Inlet. It can also be accessed by Historic Jungle Trail. For more information, visit Firstrefuge.org or fws.gov.

Photos by Joshua Kodis