Tenth Annual

and the 99th Birthday of the
National Wildlife Refuge System

Sunday, March 10, 2002
10 am - 4 pm
Riverview Park, Sebastian, FL

Directions to the Festival

Riverview Park is located in Sebastian at the intersection of US 1 and CR 512.
From I-95, take exit 69 and go east on CR 512. CR 512 ends at Riverview Park on US 1.

PHOTOS OF THE FESTIVAL

2002 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Center Stage Activities & Announcements

In the Center of Riverview Park

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Live Birds of Prey Show
Avian Reconditioning Center
Scott and Carol McCorkle, Falconer and Wildlife Rehabilitators

Featuring an American Bald Eagle from Audubon's' Center for Birds of Prey, learn about the behavior and nesting habits of the Bald Eagle and Florida's Eagle Watch Program. Scott and Carol will also bring their usual variety of falcons, hawks and owls, including an American kestrel, merlin, and red-shouldered hawk. Scott will talk about his training and hunting work he does with his birds as a falconer.

12:00 pm Photography & Poster Contest Awards Presentation

12:15 pm Countdown to The 2003 Centennial Celebration
Public Ceremony & Keynote Speakers

1:15 pm Pelican Island Historical Skit

A reenactment of how Paul Kroegel worked with others to protect Pelican Island from plume hunters. See how Paul got the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, who then established Pelican Island as America's first National Wildlife Refuge.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Live Florida Turtles, Snakes, and Alligator Show
Pat and Jerry Loll, Wildlife Educators and Rehabilitators

Know your cold-blooded neighbors! Get a great introduction to reptiles that you might encounter in Florida if you're lucky. The Lolls' live reptile show will feature native snakes, including the eastern indigo, Florida pine and corn snakes, various freshwater turtles, American alligators, and gopher tortoises. Get up close and personal with these elusive creatures and learn about their unique physiology and adaptations.

3:30 pm Raffle Drawing

Wildlife Educational Seminars

Seminar Tent located at the Northwest Corner of Riverview Park

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Brown Pelicans & Other Colonial Water Birds of Pelican Island

Rich Paul, Audubon of Florida
Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries
A feature presentation of Pelican Island's history and the magnificent birds of the Indian River Lagoon! Learn about the early exploitation of birds for their feathers and eggs, the importance of Pelican Island to the birds of the Indian River Lagoon and their population status. Rich will talk about current roosting and nesting on the island and talk about a few of his favorite birds including the Reddish egret and the Roseate spoonbill.
11:00 am Brown Pelican Release
A rehabilitated brown pelican will be released at the river's edge at the conclusion of this seminar.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm Marine Turtle Nesting and Research at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge

Dr. Llew Ehrhart, University of Central Florida
Get a very special glimpse into the research world of sea turtles within the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about the history of sea turtle nest surveying and results, the 1980's surveying that confirmed the global significance and establishment of the Archie Carr NWR, and the most recent cutting-edge satellite telemetry research being done in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Look at nesting trends in Loggerhead, Green and Leatherback sea turtles seen at the Archie Carr Refuge since its establishment in 1991.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Dolphins of the Indian River Lagoon

Steve McCulloch, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Learn about current dolphin research, initial findings, threats facing the resident population and the solutions for preserving our Indian River dolphins. The presentation will uncover the skin disease afflicting dolphins; the populations sudden increase in mortality and the decrease in viable sea grass beds within the Lagoon.

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm The Florida Scrub Jay and Scrub Habitat

Dave Breininger, Dynamac Corporation, Kennedy Space Center
Find out what is being discovered about the habitat needs and sociobiology of Florida scrub-jays along central Florida's Atlantic Coast. The presentation will focus on relationships among Florida scrub-jay demography, dispersal, habitat arrangements, and social behavior. The talk will include a combination of introductory material on Florida scrub-jays and a brief review of some of the latest scientific data.

Kid's Activity Area

Next to the Center Stage

Poster Contest

Indian River County Kids Grades K - 6. Submission deadline: February 25, 2002.

Sandpit Fossil Find

Dig in our sand box for fossils to take home. Children ages 4-9

Squirrel in the Woods

An interactive story for children ages 4-10

Habitat Cake Walk

Play habitat chairs, answer habitat questions, and get a treat. Children ages 7-11.

Wildlife Identification Game

An interactive wildlife puppet show for children ages 3-6.

Free Boat Tours To Pelican Island

Boarding at Yacht Club Across from Riverview Park
Harbor Princess Tours
(No Groups Please)

1-Hour Tours at:
11:00 am 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm

Join Rangers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Sebastian Inlet State Park on a journey to Pelican Island. Learn how one local man, Paul Kroegel, began America's wildlife conservation movement. It all began at Pelican Island, and today has grown into the National Wildlife Refuge System, which includes over 530 refuges on over 94 million acres of unique lands for wildlife, Americans and future generations. Many different species of birds can bee seen on the island this time of year, including nesting herons, egrets, American wood storks, brown pelicans, and large flocks of loafing white pelicans and cormorants.

Kayaking Tours

In the Indian River Across from Riverview Park
(No Groups Please)
Kayaks, etc.

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Free Kayaking Demonstrations and Orientations

10:00 am & 11:30 am

1 Hour Paddles to the Spoil Island - fun and easy!
Get a family fun orientation to kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon. $5/person

1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

2 1/2 Hour Ecotour Paddle to Pelican Island - with Master Naturalist Cheryl Cummins.
Kayak to the historic Pelican Island rookery much like Paul Kroegel (first game warden) did with his small sailboat to chase off plume hunters in 1903. $10/person

Music and Entertainment Area

Southeast Corner of Riverview Park Across from the River Bring your lawn chair and enjoy Sebastian on the River!

10:45 am - 11:30 am Rich Mermer

Finger style guitarist and instrument builder, will perform a mixture of acoustic blues, gospel, and slide tunes. From foot tapping tunes using bottleneck slide to the sweet sounds of lap style guitar.

11:30 am - 12:15 pm Harp & Harmony

Peggy and Tim Behrendt perform as a duo on harp, keyboard, and harmonica with the sounds of "nature" mixed into the background. Music to soothe the soul.

12:15 pm - 1:45 pm Jazzmin

This trio will be performing all your jazz favorites, from the mellow old time standards to the "Hot Club" swing stylings that have once again become so popular. Kathy Ivers - vocals and guitar; Ed Kavetsky - guitar; George Berry - bass.

1:45 pm - 2:30 pm Barry Brogan

Finger style and slide guitarist that just can't get enough of the blues. His set will feature a variety of standards and always offers a few surprises.

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm Doug Moss

Fine Singer and guitarist (12 string) that will cover all your contemporary favorites, from James Taylor to Jimmy Buffett. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

3:15 pm - 4:00 pm Brad Keeler

Brad is always enthusiastic about sharing his mixture of what he calls "antique music". You'll hear a mixture of blues, gospel, bluegrass, and old time backcountry tunes performed on guitar, mandolin, and dobro (he'll also accompany himself on harmonica).

Special Exhibitors & Demonstrations

Throughout Riverview Park

All day 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Pelican Island Preservation Society (PIPS)

The Pelican Island Wildlife Festival is and annual festival produced by PIPS to celebrate the anniversary of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. All proceeds go directly towards education and support of America's first refuge, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. Stop by the PIPS booth to find:

Pelican Island memorabilia and gift items
Raffle tickets for 3 featured prizes!
PIPS membership information

Fish & Wildlife Service and Florida's National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)

Pelican Island NWR & Archie Carr NWR's
Merritt Island NWR
Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys NWR's
Natural Pest Control in your Garden Using Bats
St. Marks NWR
What Can You Do on a Refuge? The BIG 6.
Okefenokee NWR
Recycling
Chassahowitzka & Crystal River NWR's
National Key Deer Refuge
J.N. Ding Darling NWR
Art Marshall Loxahatchee NWR
Invasive, exotic species and Everglades restoration
Welaka National Fish Hatchery
Lagoon Life and Fishery Tank Exhibits
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement
Confiscated Wildlife Products Exhibit
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ecological Services

Heritage Exhibits

Heritage of the Ancient Ones: Recreates the world of Florida's first people through educational demonstrations of the history and traditions of the ancient Native Americans.

Live Wildlife Exhibits

Visit a variety of educational native Florida wildlife exhibits, including birds of prey and snakes from rehabilitation and educational centers and fishery tanks from our National Fish Hatchery. Don't miss the special Wildlife Shows at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm.

Wildlife & Nature Arts and Crafts

Professional artists will have their works for sale. Items include nature photography, paintings and watercolors, etched glass, wind chimes, woodcarvings, animal puzzles and more.

Educational, Environmental and Public Lands Exhibits

Stroll through the park and get an environmental education experience about the wildlife and habitat treasures of Indian River County. Learn about all that is being done to protect our resources, what services are available to you and how you can help wildlife and habitat in Florida.

Photography & Poster Contest Display

Located at the east end of the park by the playground, displays all the submitted entries for the Nature & Wildlife Photography Contest and the Posters designed by students within Indian River County schools.

Wildlife Festival Characters

Make sure your kid's don't miss them!
Make sure they don't miss your kids!

"The Blue Goose" - from the National Wildlife Refuge System
"Pelly-Can" - from Keep Brevard Beautiful
"Sticky Man" - from Keep Indian River Beautiful
"Garbby" - from Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District
"Manatee" - from Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Food Vendors

Adjacent to Music and Entertainment Area
Vero Lake Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry
Mellisa's Gourmet Bakery
Bono's Barbeque
Pro Chef
Evertea Tea Tradehouse
Fox Hollow Fudgery

Please feel free to contact us:
Festival Information:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Joanna Taylor, Festival Chair
1339 20th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
Phone and voice mail: 561-562-3909, Ext 258
Fax: 561-299-3101
Festival Website: http://nbbd.com/npr/pips/festival.html

Pelican Island Preservation Society

Walt Stieglitz, President
P.O. Box 1903
Sebastian, Florida 32978
Phone: (561) 663-9570
Society Website: http://nbbd.com/npr/pips

Pelican Island Preservation Society U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Harbor Princess A K Global