It began in March 1903 with a decisive, conservation-minded president, one man, and one tiny on east coast of Florida. Now, 100 years later, the National Wildlife Refuge System has emerged as one of the worlds conservation success stories, helping to protect wildlife and habitats on more than 540 refuges encompassing 95 million acres across the United States.
The refuge system was born March 14, 2003, when President Theodore Roosevelt ordered the protection of herons, egrets and pelicans on three-acre Pelican from poachers and aggressive market hunters. Paul Kroegel, who had been hired a year earlier by Florida Audubon Society to protect the islands birds and their eggs from hunters, was hired as the sanctuarys first warden and only employee.
Pelican National Wildlife Refuge will take the national spotlight March 14, 2003, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joins with local communities and other partners to host special events commemorating the birthplace of the National Wildlife Refuge System and its Centennial. Similar celebrations and events will be across Michigan and the nation during 2003.
The Service staffs two of the nine refuges and one wetland management district wetland management district
A wetland management district is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office that manages waterfowl production areas in one or more counties. Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. The Fish and Wildlife Service acquires waterfowl production areas under the authority of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, primarily using funds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The Refuge System’s 38 wetland management districts comprise thousands of waterfowl production areas – almost all in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Northern Great Plains.
Learn more about wetland management district in Michigan. These wildlife sanctuaries conserve more than 100,000 acres of Michigans diverse natural areas for hundreds of species of fish, migratory birds, waterfowl, bald eagles, timber wolves and countless other wildlife and plants. Nearly 150,000 people visit Michigans refuges annually to participate in the states valued outdoor traditions of hunting and fishing, and other activities including wildlife viewing and photography.
Michigan has been home to national wildlife refuges since 1905, when Teddy Roosevelt established the Huron National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Superior. Now known as Huron Islands NWR, this collection of islands is the oldest refuge in the Services Midwest Region. Despite their small size--totaling only 147 acres--the remoteness and primitive quality of the Huron islands have earned them designation as a Wilderness Area.
On the Upper Peninsula, Seney National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a wide variety plants and animals. More than 200 species of birds, 26 species of fish, 45 species of mammals and 420 plant species have been recorded on the refuge. This diversity is maintained through wetland, fire, and forest management, even as the staff monitors impacts of humans on the environment.
Michigans most recent national wildlife refuge is also North Americas first international wildlife refuge. The Service manages Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in cooperation with the Canadian government, local and state agencies, and nonprofit and landowner groups.
Nearly 20 special Centennial events are scheduled at Michigan refuges this year. During March 14-15, Shiawassee NWR will host a special open house and time capsule dedication, joining a local post office to host second day cancellation events for the new Pelican NWR postage stamp to be issued March 14. Other events will be held throughout the year. Refuge locations, directions and a calendar of events are available on the web at http://midwest.fws.gov Information is also is available by emailing r3centennial@fws.gov. Event information is also available by phone from the following Michigan refuges:
Seney NWR, Seney, 906-586-9851
Shiawassee NWR, Saginaw, 989-777-5930 (also for Detroit River IWR)
ATTENTION EDITORS: Some electronic photos, artwork and broadcast PSAs are available to help illustrate this article. Please contact Rachel Levin, 612-713-5311, or rachel_levin@fws.gov, with your requests.
