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 Wisconsin and the nation during 2003.
The Service staffs five of eight refuges and two wetland management districts in Wisconsin. These wildlife sanctuaries conserve some 200,000 acres of Wisconsins diverse natural areas for hundreds of species of fish, migratory birds, waterfowl, bald eagles, and countless other wildlife and plants. Nearly 2 million people visit Wisconsins refuges annually to participate in the states valued outdoor traditions of hunting and fishing, and other activities including wildlife viewing and photography.
Wisconsin has been home to national wildlife refuges since 1912, when the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established on an in Lake Michigan. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge followed in 1936, Necedah NWR in 1939, and Horicon Refuge in 1941. Wisconsins most recent national wildlife refuge is Whittlesey Creek, established in 1999 on Lake Superior.
Horicon Marsh, covering 32,000 acres, is the largest fresh water cattail marsh in the United States and is designated as a "Wetland of National Importance." Trempealeau and Horicon National Wildlife Refuges are designated as "Globally Important Bird Areas."
Necedah NWR serves as the summer home for two groups of highly endangered whooping cranes that are being taught to migrate using ultralight aircraft. If successful, this experiment will result in only the second group of whooping cranes in the world to migrate on its own.
More than 20 special Centennial events are scheduled at Wisconsin refuges and wetland management districts this year. During March 14-15, nearly all staffed locations will host special open houses and time capsule dedications. Some will join local post offices to host second day cancellation events for the new Pelican NWR postage stamp, to be issued March 14. 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 Wisconsin refuges and wetland management districts:
Horicon NWR, Mayville, 920-387-2658
Leopold WMD, Mayville, 920-387-0336
St. Croix WMD, New Richmond, 715-246-7784
Necedah NWR, Necedah, 608-565-2551
Trempealeau NWR, Trempealeau, 608-539-2311
Upper Mississippi River NFWR, LaCrosse District, 608-783-8405
Whittlesey Creek NWR, Ashland, 715-685-2678
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.
