Centennial Trail, Pelican Island NWR

Junction of Centennial and Pete's Impoundment Trails

Pelican Island isn’t just a National Wildlife Refuge, it’s the National Wildlife Refuge that started the whole concept going, back in 1903. Even further back, in 1858, the small island in the Indian River Lagoon – offshore from where the refuge access is today – was documented as a brown pelican breeding ground. An extensive history is presented on the refuge website, but to sum it up, a local homesteader, Paul Kroegel, made it his mission to stand guard over the nesting pelicans back in the late 1880s. When it was discovered that the island was the last breeding ground for brown pelicans on the East Coast of Florida, the Florida Audubon Society hired Krogel to do what he was already doing—protecting the birds from hunters. There were no laws against hunting them. On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an order to designate Pelican Island as the first Federal bird reservation, the first time the government set aside land for wildlife. Krogel became its first manager.

On March 14, 2003, the Centennial Trail was the centerpiece of a nationwide celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge system. The Centennial Trail is the shortest and easiest of the three trails at the refuge, and it’s also wheelchair accessible – paved or boardwalk its entire length. I’m pleased to see that the two other trails at the refuge – Pete’s Impoundment and Bird’s Impoundment – have been posted “footpath only.” When I visited the refuge last, a month before the big centennial celebration, bikes were allowed on the impoundment and I almost got run over by one speeding around a curve. I decided then that I wouldn’t include the two 2.5-mile loops in Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State, since they were clearly multi-use. But now that they’re not, I’ll be back. When I hiked Bird’s Impoundment on a February day, we saw roseate spoonbills in the trees, and I’d like to see that again. I’d also like to provide you details about the trails, now that bikes aren’t a problem. Someday!

You’ll still see your share of birds on this short walk. Our first sighting started with the impoundment adjacent to the welcome and historical kiosk. A black skimmer was showing off its skimming behavior, swooping low to the water and shoveling it up with his bill. It was worth some time on a trailside bench to watch his technique. The trail winds away from the impoundment and along the edge of a wetland you’d expect to see along the Indian River Lagoon, with cabbage palms and tall grasses.