"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.   The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has undertaken the task of restoring Pelican Island to as close to its original state as possible. They have also partnered with Indian River County to begin restoration of the barrier island habitat and develop low impact public facilities for the long-term benefit of wildlife and Americans. Pelican Island has changed dramatically over the years. In 1858, it was lush with mangroves and populated with many varieties of nesting birds. In 1910, after a hurricane caused a massive mangrove die-off, it became a barren sand spit populated with only ground-nesting brown pelicans. And although nesting populations of pelicans and other birds are today stable, the available mangrove nesting habitat is decreasing. Over the past forty years, the island had decreased in size by more than 50-percent. Steps have now been taken to reverse that trend. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has stemmed the tide of erosion on Pelican Island. The first restoration phase included planting smooth cordgrass and installing an oyster shell breakwater along the north shoreline. The second phase included creating an additional oyster shell wave break and planting smooth cordgrass and red mangroves along the northern and western shorelines. This will reduce and/or deflect wave energy from the island, and restore nesting and foraging habitat for birds. The third phase may include the placement of an offshore wave break for the long-term protection of Pelican Island. The habitat restoration plan for the refuge buffer lands includes removing exotic/invasive plants, such as citrus trees, Brazilian Pepper trees, and Australian Pines, and recreating mangrove forests, tidal marshes, freshwater wetlands, palm prairies, hammocks, and maritime hammocks. The water table is being restored to historic, natural conditions and soils have begun to be excavated to appropriate depths necessary to support natural fresh andestuarine plant and fish communities. These habitats will be managed for the long-term benefit of all wildlife. In March 2003, the dedication of the "Centennial Trail" marked the grand opening of the refuge's first land-based public facility located between the Atlantic Ocean and The Indian River Lagoon off North Jungle Trail. The facility will allow an unprecedented view of the Pelican Island rookery from an observation tower. Pelican Island can also be viewed from tour boats, canoe and kayak expeditions.     History | Renourishment | Centennial Celebration | Centennial Trail | Visitor Info | Links | Media | Home