"Site Presented by The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce and The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce." Design & Hosting donated by CNI Contact Info: 772-589-5969 Email Us Copyright 2006: All photos are the property of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photos Taken By: Wendell Metzen and George Nelson.   One Man Can Make A Difference… Before the turn of the 20th century, Sebastian resident Paul Kroegel began trying to convince everyone that Pelican Island should be protected forever as a safe haven for pelicans and other species of birds. When President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt signed the Executive Order on March 14th, 1903, America's National Wildlife Refuge System was born. It now includes 540 refuges encompassing 94 million acres. The Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge Centennial Celebration, held March 14, 2003, focused the world's attention on the fact that, "One Man Can Make A Difference," and that one man was Paul Kroegel. Paul Kroegel and his father, Gottlob Kroegel, trekked to the Sebastian River area from Ohio, and homesteaded on an ancient shell midden mound overlooking the Indian River Lagoon. It provided a great view of The Lagoon and Pelican Island. Gottlob Kroegel was an excellent farmer, who, in 1889, single-handedly made an astounding shipment of 74 crates of beans, which was the largest shipment ever by one man. Over time, Paul became a true entrepreneur as he managed a citrus grove, took care of the family's honey business, and had an avid interest in boats and boat building. He was also known to travel the river by boat to play his accordion at square dances up and down the coast. But Paul's love of birds was his passion in this part of his life. He defended Pelican Island's birds in particular. Paul Kroegel - one man, and his boat. That's how it all started as Paul began to put himself between the birds and their enemy- feather hunters and egg collectors. After years of relentless slaughter, many of our majestic birds were near extinction. He would try to deter the plume hunters and sportsmen on yachts from shooting the birds, but there were no laws, and no legal protection for the birds. Pelican Island was, in fact, the last breeding ground for brown pelicans along the entire east coast and it was here that Paul would make his stand. He took an active interest in saving all the birds, and often hosted influential naturalists, who used their influence to help Paul protect the island. Shortly after the declaration of Pelican Island as a National Wildlife Refuge, Paul Kroegel was hired to become America's first national wildlife warden. He made $1 per month. Paul Kroegel's legacy stands tall in Sebastian's Riverview Park, as his bronze likeness gazes proudly toward Pelican Island as he puffs on his pipe, with a brown pelican standing by his side.     History | Renourishment | Centennial Celebration | Centennial Trail | Visitor Info | Links | Media | Home