February 25, 2003
Contact:
Tom MacKenzie, (404) 679-729
President Theodore
Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on March 14,
1903 at Pelican
Island, Florida. Today, the National
Wildlife Refuge System protects nearly 95 million acres,
with 540 national wildlife refuges and thousands of wetland production
areas.
Mark
Your Calendar!
The Celebration of a
Century of Conservation
100 Years of the
National Wildlife Refuge System
March 13-16, 2003
Sebastian, Florida
Thursday,
March 13
National Wildlife Refuge System Time Capsule
Display Dedication
1:00 pm
Indian River Mall, Vero Beach, FL
Kick-off a weekend of events to celebrate the 100th birthday
of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Unveiling of the national time capsule display, with artifacts from
some of America's 540 national wildlife refuges.
Entertainment by The Peabody Orlando Ducks, Challenger the bald
eagle, and President Theodore Roosevelt.
Friday, March 14
Centennial Celebration Ceremony
10:00 am.*
Riverview Park, Sebastian, FL
Celebrate the 100(superscript: th) birthday of the National Wildlife
Refuge
System at America's first - Pelican Island.
U.S. Postal Service First Day of Issue Ceremony for the Pelican
Island commemorative postage stamp.
Entertainment by Voices of Liberty from the Walt Disney World
Resort
Performance of President Theodore Roosevelt
Live wildlife demonstration by Jack Hanna of Wild Animal Adventures
* Arrive early to avoid traffic delays. Event will open at
9 am.
Arlo
Guthrie Concert and Fireworks
7:00 pm
Riverview Park, Sebastian, FL
Live music by Pete Harris and Sebastian's own Arlo Guthrie. Sponsored
by the City of Sebastian and Sebastian River Area Chamber. Fireworks to follow.
Saturday
& Sunday, March 15 & 16
11th Annual Pelican Island Wildlife Festival
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Riverview Park, Sebastian, FL
First day opening of Centennial Trail and Observation Tower
and
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Postal Service Pelican Island stamp booth
Live wildlife shows by Jack Hanna of Wild Animal Adventures
and Jim Fowler of Wild Planet
Exhibitors
Arts and crafts
Kid's activities
Live music
Environmental education activities
Boat tours to view Pelican Island
Food
Seminars
All
events are free and open to the public.
Click
here to see the Centennial Postcard
From one five-acre island grew the world's
greatest system of lands for wildlife......
For area lodging information and additional event details as they develop,
go to http://pelicanisland.fws.gov
Events being held nationwide.
Need story ideas? Media should check out:
http://refuges100.fws.gov/
For the media in
the Southeast, call (404) 679-7291 or e-mail
tom_mackenzie@fws.gov
