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The first refuge was established at Pelican Island, Florida in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt. 
In 1903, Pelican Island became the center of a battle between conservationists and feather hunters. Pelican Island was the last breeding ground for brown pelicans along the east coast of Florida. Urged on by a German immigrant named Paul Kroegel, many prominent people rallied around this small island to spearhead the protection of one of the last remaining areas vital to the survival of wildlife. Under the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt, wildlife protection became a national interest. With the stroke of a pen, on March 14, 1903, President Roosevelt set in motion a commitment to the preservation of our wildlife heritage and, in so doing, prevented many species from certain extinction. top of page The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965 to protect dusky Canada geese. 
One of the primary goals for creating the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge was to provide a wintering area for waterfowl, with a special emphasis on dusky Canada geese. The only place the dusky Canada goose spends its winters is along the lower Columbia River and in the Willamette River Valley of Oregon. The only place it spends its summers and nests is along the Copper River Delta in Alaska. In 1964, a violent earthquake in Alaska lifted the duskys' nesting grounds on the Copper River delta about 6 feet, altering their nesting habitat and causing a decline in population. To ensure that the geese had secure wintering areas, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965, along with three other refuges in the Willamette Valley. top of page The National Wildlife Refuge System is celebrating its 100th anniversary. 
Entering its second century, the National Wildlife Refuge System comprises 95 million acres, protected within 540 refuges and thousands of small prairie wetlands that serve as waterfowl breeding and nesting areas. There are wildlife refuges in every state, and at least one within an hour's drive of every major American city, providing "refuge" for people as well as wildlife! The U.S. Postal System Refuge Centennial stamp depicts a pelican in honor of the first refuge. |
